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THE    LIFE 


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f^^hW  maS%  ephraim, 


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A  NOTICE  OF  HIS  SISTEK3IARY  EPMAIM, 


A   RELIGIOUS   OF  LA   TRAPPE. 


Fugit  ipse  et  Soror  ^us  in  montes,  et  reliquerunt  quoecunque  habebant  in  civi- 
tate. — 1  5Uc.  ii. 


POBUSHED  WITff  THE  APPROBATION  OF 

THE  RIGHT  REV.  BISHOP  OF  PHILADELPHIA. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PUBLISHED    BY   H.    &    C.    McGRATH, 

297     MARKET     STREET. 

1856. 


i* 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1856,  by 

H.    &    C.    McGRATH, 

In  the  Clerk's  Offieo  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  in  and 
for  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


PHILADELPHIA  : 

STEREOTYPED  BY  GEOROE  CDARLES. 

I'RIMUD  liY  KINO  &  BAIHD. 


3A' 


LIFE   OF 


FATHER  MARIA  EPHRAIM. 


CONTENTS. 


S 

00 

K  INTRODUCTION. 

oq     Chapter  I^ 9 

Zj 

Chapter  II, 32 

W  CHAPTER  I. 

z    Birth — First  Education,  and  Good  Natural  Disposition  of  Father 

Maria  Ephraim, 57 

O  CHAPTER  II, 

^     Vincent  is  sent  to  the  Jesuits'  College  at  Aix.    He  experiences 

3         there  some  Diflaculties.    He  makes  his  first  Communion 63 

O 

m 

ui  CHAPTER  III. 

Z 

2     Vincent's  Progress  in  his  Studies.    He  becomes  firm  in  Piety.    He 

2        leaves  the  College  of  the  R.  R.  Jesuits, 1Z 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Vincent  returns  to  Perpignan.  His  sojourn  in  his  Family.  He 
goes  to  Toulouse  to  continue  his  Studies, 82 

CHAPTER  V. 

Vincent  becomes  Remiss  in  his  Religious  Duties,  and,  by  degrees, 
imbibes  a  taste  for  Worldly  Pleasures.  He  goes  back  to  Perpig- 
nan.- Ho  again  Returns  to  Toulouse,  in  order  to  go  through  a 
course  of  Legal  Studies, 86 

^*  443332        '^^ 


6  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Vincent  leaves  Toulouse  and  returns  to  hia  Family.  He  makes  the 
acquaintance  of  a  virtuous  Priest,  to  wliom  lie  proposes  some 
DiflBculties  on  the  subject  of  Confession.  He  becomes  greatly 
attached  to  the  aforesaid  Priest,  and  finally  returns  to  his  former 
sentiments  of  Piety, 93 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Vincent  takes  the  Resolution  of  quitting  the  World,  and  of  devot- 
ing himself  to  God  in  a  Religious  Life, 109 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Vincent  acquaints  his  Parents   with  his  design   of  quitting  the 
World.     His  Parents  are  violently  opposed  to  it.     Family  misfor- 
.  tunes  effectually  detach  his  heart  from  the  World,  and  strengthen 
his  vocation  for  a  Religious  Life, 114 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Vincent  is  obliged  to  suffer  many  Attacks  on  his  Vocation.  Divers 
persons  are  expressly  sent  to  Reason  and  Argue  with  him.  His 
Father  forces  him  to  take  a  Tour  to  Paris, 120 

CHAPTER  X. 

Vincent  quits  Paris  on  his  return  to  Perpignan.  He  passes  through 
Lyons.  He  is  seized  with  a  Desire  of  Visiting  the  Abbey  of 
Aiguebelle.     God  detains  him  there, 127 

CHAPTER  XL 

Certain  circumstances  induce  Vincent  to  remain  at  Aiguebelle  on 
the  Day  of  the  Purification  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  How  ho 
passes  that  Day.  The  Singing  of  the  Salve  Regina.  He  Re- 
nounces his  intention  of  going  to  take  Leave  of  his  Family, 136 

•  CHAPTER  XIL 

Vincent  Applies  for  immediate  Admission  into  the  Community. 
The  various  Trials  to  which  his  Vocation  is  Submitted.  The 
Rev.  Father  Abbot  lays  before  him  some  of  the  Austerities  of  the 
Order, 145 


CONTENTS.  7 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Vincent  commences  his  Novitiate;  and  takes  the  name  of  Maria 
Ephraim.  He  writes  to  his  Father  and  informs  him  of  his  pro- 
ceedings;   ICO 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Monsieur  Ferrer,  Senior,  arrives  at  Aiguebelle;  he  obtains  Permis- 
sion to  conduct  his  Son  to  Perpignan ;  Promising  to  give  his  Con- 
sent, in  case  he  Persists  in  his  Vocation, 173 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Brother  Maria  Ephraim  arrives  at  Perpignan :  his  Sojourning  with 
his  Family.    He  returns  to  Aiguebelle, 188 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Answers  to  some  Erroneous  Notions  entertained  of,  and  to  somo 
False  Accusations  made  against,  the  Communities  and  Brother- 
hood of  La  Trappe, 193 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Brother  Maria  Ephraim  arrives  at  Aiguebelle  :  his  Joy  at  finding 
himself  again  in  the  Midst  of  his  Brethren.  Ceremonies  at  the 
Benediction  of  the  new  Abbot  of  La  Trappe,  the  Reverend  Fa- 
ther Orsisius, 226 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Brother  Ephraim  applies  himself  with  ardor  to  the  Exercise  of  the 
Novitiate.  The  Consolations  he  Experiences.  Motives  for  in- 
terior Consolation,  how  well-founded  at  La  Trappe, 233 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Brother  Maria  Ephraim  is  exposed  to  other  Trials.  His  female 
Cousin  decides  upon  embracing  a  Religious  Life.  Some  farther 
Remarks  upon  La  Trappe  elicited  by  the  new  Difi5culties  that  are 
thrown  in  the  way  of  his  Perseverance, 253 

CHAPTER  XX. 

The  female  Cousin  of  Brother  Ephraim  enters  the  Convent  of  La 
Trappe.  A  short  Account  of  the  Female  Trappists  of  Lyons  and 
Maubec, 265 


8  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXL 

Brother  Maria  Ephraim  makes  his  Vows.     Religious  Profession  is  a 
second  Baptism.     The  Vows  of  Trappists  are  solemn  Vows, 274 

CHAPTER  XXIL 
Concerning  some  Virtues  of  Brother  Maria  Ephraim, 282 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
Devotion  of  Father  Maria  Ephraim  towards  the  Blessed  Virgin,....  298 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 
Sickness  of  Father  Maria  Ephraim.     His  Death, 301 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
Reflections  in  Conclusion, 317 

An  Abridgment  op  the  Life  of  Mother  Mary  Ephraim, 325 


INTRODUCTION. 


*  m  *  •  * 


CHAPTER  I. 


The  monastic  life  dates  from  the  first  days 
of  Christianity,  and  the  divine  Legislator,  in 
laying  the  foundation  of  his  Church,  laid  at 
the  same  time  the  foundation  of  monachism. 
"  Vae  mundo"  was  the  cry  of  the  Man-God ; 
woe  be  to  the  world  on  account  of  its  perverse 
maxims,  of  its  death-bringing  prejudices,  and 
of  its  incessant  opposition  to  the  purity  of  His 
Gospel ;  and  at  the  same  time  He  proclaims 
this  severe  sentence :  Whoever  wishes  to  come 
to  me,  let  him  sell  his  goods,  and  distrihide  the 
'price  of  them  to  the  poor  ;  let  him  renounce  self, 
take  up  his  cross,  and  follow  me.  This  appeal 
was  understood,  and  literally  followed  by  the 
true  friends  of  the  Saviour;  we  accordingly 
see  them  strip  themselves  of  their  goods,  dis- 
tribute the  price  to  the  poor,  or  lay  it  at  the 
feet  of  the  Apostles.  We  see  them  living  af- 
terwards in  retirement,  mutually  edifying  one 
another  in  a  life  of  community,  and  making 
together  but  one  heart  and  one  soul.     This 

C9) 


10  INTRODUCTION.  .: 

appeal  was  also  understood,  even  before  it  was 
made,  by  St.  John  the  Baptist :  yet  in  his 
youth,  and  conducted  by  the  spirit  of  the  Lord, 
the  holy  Precursor  isolated  himself  from  men, 
buried  himself  in  the  desert,  and  passed  there 
the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  fasting  and  pray- 
ing ;  clothed  in  the  same  w^ay  as  the  other  soli- 
taries, that,  at  a  later  period,  were  destined  to 
adorn  the  Church  by  the  splendor  of  their  vir- 
tues. Accordingly,  most  of  the  Fathers,  and 
more  particularly  St.  John  Chrysostom,  call 
St.  John-Baptist,  the  chief  and  model  of  ancho- 
rets. Our  Lord,  adds  St.  Basil  the  Great,  ordained 
that  his  Precursor  should  be  a  solitary.  This 
appeal  was  above  all  understood  by  the  august 
mother  of  our  Redeemer,  whom  all  religious 
orders  should  regard  as  their  chief  foundress, 
and  whom  the  Cistercian  order  in  particular 
feel  honored  in  recognizing  as  its  special  Pro- 
tectress, and  tender  Mother.  This  incompara- 
ble Virgin  was  in  fact  the  first  that  discovered 
the  secret  of  making  to  God  the  most  agreea- 
ble sacrifice  that  can  be  offered  to  Him.  It 
is  well  known,  that  before  her  no  woman  had 
thought  of  consecrating  her  virginity  to  God, 
by  a  vow  of  perpetual  chastity,  whereas  under 
the  law  of  Moses,  the  only  one  in  which  the 
true  God  was  honored  and  adored,  sterility  was 
looked  upon  as  the  greatest  misfortune   and 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

opprobrium  that  could  befall  the  daughters  of 
Israel. 

In  imitation  of  those  examples,  many  ser- 
vants of  God,  guided  by  the  grace  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  stole  away  from  the  tumult  of  affairs, 
abandoned  the  residences  of  cities,  and  buried 
themselves  among  the  clefts  of  the  rocks,  and 
the  caves  of  the  desert,  to  meditate  upon  the 
law  of  God,  and  to  contemplate  in  silence  and 
mortification  his  infinite  perfections,  thus  be- 
coming true  angels  in  this  world,  and  using 
their  bodies  only  as  instruments  of  the  most 
rude  penance ;  becoming  true  martyrs,  though 
the  church  was  in  peace,  for  the  macerations 
to  which  they  subjected  their  bodies,  held  for 
them  the  place  of  persecutors.  Not  long  after 
the  birth  of  Christianity,  there  may  be  seen 
swarms  of  such  solitaries,  who,  by  different 
practices,  with  grace  more  or  less  abounding, 
sanctified  the  deserts,  and  arrived  at  various 
degrees  of  perfection.  They  were  the  admira- 
tion and  wonder  of  the  Christian  world. 
Grandees,  and  other  persons  of  high  rank  and 
exalted  dignity,  felt  honored  whilst  visiting 
them,  and  deemed  themselves  fortunate  in 
gathering  from  their  lips  some  few  words  of 
edification.  Their  lives  have  been  written, 
and  handed  down  to  us  by  the  most  illustrious 
saints,  such  as  the  Basils,  the  Grcgories,  the 


12  ■  INTRODUCTION. 

Chrysostoms,    and   other   luminaries    of    the 
Eastern  church. 

In  the  middle  of  the  third  century  of  the 
Christian  era,  the  deserts  of  Higher  Egypt  and 
of  Thebais  were  peopled  by  these  pious  an- 
chorets, who  fled  from  the  world  to  be  wholly 
conversant  with  themselves,  to  meditate  on 
the  eternal  truths,  and  to  labor  for  their  own 
perfection  by  silence,  prayer,  and  the  practice 
of  all  sorts  of  austerity.  The  climate  of  these 
countries  and  the  fertility  of  their  soils,  were 
eminently  adapted  to  a  life  of  solitude  and  ere- 
mitical retirement.  Fruits  in  abundance,  and 
vegetables  of  various  qualities  grew  there  as 
if  spontaneously ;  and  these  aliments,  frugal  as 
they  were,  sufficed  for  the  support  of  men,  de- 
voted as  they  were  to  the  most  rigid  absti- 
nence. Thither  St.  Paul,  the  first  hermit, 
and  St.  Anthon}^,  the  father  of  Eastern  mona- 
chism,  retired.  These  were  soon  followed  by 
crowds  of  the  faithful,  who  feared  the  conta- 
gion of  the  world  and  its  seductions,  still 
more  than  they  dreaded  the  fury  and  rage  of 
persecutors.  The  number  insensibly  increased, 
and  was  very  considerable  ere  the  end  of  the 
third  century :  it  became  immense  in  the 
fourth,  so  that  the  deserts  presented  the  ap- 
pearance of  cities  inhabited  by  an  assemblage 
of  holy  solitaries.    The  whole  hfe  of  these  pre- 


INTIIODUCTION  13 

destined  may  be  summed  up  in  a  few  words : 
prayer,  meditation,  watching,  fasting,  labor  in 
silence,  and  retirement  the  most  complete.  A 
natural  grotto,  or  one  artificially  cut  in  the 
rock,  or  a  w^ooden  hut,  covered  over  with  the 
branches  and  leaves  of  trees,  served  them  for 
an  asylum ;  a  few  fruits,  or  a  few  roots,  the 
produce  of  the  desert,  sufficed  to  appease  their 
hunger  in  part,  for  they  never  appeased  it  en- 
tirely, seeking  less  to  prolong  their  days  than 
their  acts  of  penance ;  the  water  of  a  spring, 
or  of  some  neighboring  torrent,  quenched  their 
thirst.  From  the  East,  these  solitaries  ex- 
tended themselves  over  the  West ;  they  spread 
themselves  over  different  countries  of  Europe. 
Many  continued  to  live  isolated  and  alone,  and 
bore  the  name  of  Solitaries  or  Eremites ;  others 
came  together  to  live  in  a  community  under 
the  control  of  a  Superior,  and  according  to  the 
constitutions  of  a  rule ;  the  latter  were  called 
Cenobites,  from  two  Greek  words  which  sig- 
nify "  living  in  community." 

About  the  end  of  the  fifth  century,  the 
eminent  splendor  of  monastic  perfection  be- 
gan to  be  tarnished :  the  natural  inclination 
of  the  human  mind  to  the  fleeting  pleasures 
of  the  world,  persecutions  of  Various  kinds,  the 
many  disasters  occasioned  by  the  incursions 
of  the  Huns  and  Vandals  j  all  these  causes 
2 


14  INTRODUCTION. 

united  with  many  others,  had  weakened  mo- 
nastic discipline,  and  introduced  little  by  little 
relaxation  in  the  cenobitical  manner  of  living. 
It  was  under  these  circumstances  that  God, 
who  never  abandons  his  own,  even  though 
they  should  be  eager  to  separate  themselves 
from  Him,  raised  ujd,  in  His  mercy,  a  man  ac- 
cording to  his  own  heart.  The  reader  wdll 
immediately  guess  whom  we  mean,  for  his 
mind  has  already  averted  to  St.  Benedict,  so 
celebrated  throughout  the  Christian  world;  St. 
Benedict,  who  may  justly  be  called  the  light 
of  the  desert,  the  Apostle  of  Monte-Cassino, 
the  Restorer  of  monastic  discipline  in  the  West, 
just  as  St.  Anthony  had  been  the  Father  of  it 
in  the  East. 

This  illustrious  saint  was  born  in  the  terri- 
tory of  Nursia,  in  the  Dutchy  of  Spoleto,  Italy, 
in  the  year  480.  His  family  was  distinguished 
for  nobility  and  wealth,  but  the  young  Bene- 
dict was  still  more  distinguished  for  grace  and 
piety.  St.  Gregory,  by  whom  his  life  w^as 
written,  tells  us,  that  he  was  called  Benedict, 
because  the  Lord  bestowed  on  him  from  his 
infancy  the  most  splendid  henedictions ;  and 
that,  being  sent  into  the  world  at  a  most  diffi- 
cult and  stormy  period,  and  being  destined  for 
great  things,  it  pleased  the  Divine  Goodness  to 
adorn  his  mind  and  heart  with  the  most  de- 


INTRODUCTION.  15 

sirable  qualities.  At  the  age  of  seven  years, 
he  was  sent  to  Rome  for  his  education :  his 
progress  in  knowledge  made  itself  there  not 
less  remarkable  than  the  advances  he  made  in 
piety  and  virtue.  But  the  more  he  advanced 
in  the  ways  of  God,  the  more  also  he  became 
disgusted  with  the  world,  whose  wiles  he  early 
discovered.  The  licentiousness  of  the  young 
men  of  his  own  age  and  quality,  whom  he  was 
obliged  to  associate  with,  and  the  great  dangers 
he  incurred  of  losing  his  innocence  in  their 
society,  inspired  him  with  the  idea  of  seeking 
an  asylum  in  solitude.  Full  of  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord,  that  guides  him,  he  quits  Rome  at  the  age 
of  fifteen,  and  takes  the  road  towards  the  wil- 
derness. The  Holy  Spirit  became  from  thence 
forward  the  only  teacher  of  this  young  scholar : 
at  such  a  school,  the  pupil  must  needs  become 
an  adept.  His  austerities  and  virtues  ren- 
dered him  soon  celebrated ;  his  name  was  car- 
ried through  the  whole  of  Europe.  A  crowd 
of  people,  consisting  of  all  ages  and  conditions, 
flocked  together  to  place  themselves  under  his 
guidance ;  he  founded  many  monasteries — so 
many  as  twelve, — for  their  accommodation ; 
made  himself  remarkable  for  the  gift  of  pro- 
phecy, and  performed  many  miracles.  On  a 
mountain  called  Cassino,  there  formerly  ex- 
isted a  small  town,  whose  inhabitants  were  all 


16  INTRODUCTION. 

idolaters ;  these  lie  converted  to  the  ftxith  of 
Christ,  destroyed  the  idol  of  Apollo,  which 
they  paid  divine  worship  to,  and  afterwards 
built  the  celebrated  monastery  and  church  of 
Monte-Cassino,  which  were  destined  to  become 
the  cradle  of  the  Benedictine  order.    But  what 
rendered  the  illustrious  Benedict  more  remark- 
able still,  was  the  admirable  rule  which  he 
composed ;  a  rule,  of  which  the  perfection  and 
wisdom  have  been  praised  by  the  saints  of  all 
ages,  since  it  became  known,  and  which,  of 
itself,  has  contributed  to  the  formation  of  a 
multitude  of  predestined  souls,  and  has  always 
been  looked  upon  by  the  Church,  by  which  it 
has  been  honored  with  renewed  approbations, 
as  the  most  excellent  code  of  monastic  disci- 
pline and  of  a  Christian  life,  that  ever  issued 
from  the  hands  of  man.     Saint  Benedict  made 
this  rule  be  observed  in  all  his  monasteries ;  he 
also  propagated  it  in  foreign  and  far  distant 
regions  by  means  of  his  disciples  :  thus,  he  sent 
St.  Placidus  to  establish  it  in  Sicily,  and  at  the 
solicitation  of  a  bishop  of  Mans,  named  Inno- 
cent,  he   caused    St.    Maurus   to    proceed   to 
France,  in   order   to   propagate  and   make  it 
known  in  this  country  also. 

St.  Maurus  arrived  in  France,  accompanied 
by  some  religious,  in  the  year  of  Christ  545. 
Notwithstanding   many  difficulties  thrown  in 


INTRODUCTION.  17 

his  way  by  the  powers  of  darkness,  over  which 
he  triumphed  through  assistance  from  on  High, 
he  founded  the  first  abbey  of  his  order  at 
GLandfeuil,  in  the  diocese  of  Angers.  This 
abbey  may  be  denominated  the  nursery,  from 
which  issued  soon  after  a  great  number  of 
others,  and  from  which  the  rehgious  were 
transplanted  successively  into  all  the  French 
provinces.  St.  Maurus,  before  his  death, 
founded  one  hundred  and  twenty  religious 
houses ;  some  of  them  being  priories,  and  con- 
sequently depending  upon  the  mother-house, 
but  the  greater  number  being  abbeys. 

Behold  then  the  order  of  St.  Benedict,  (or 
the  Benedictines,)  acclimated  and  scattered 
throuGi:h  France.  In  the  course  of  time,  this 
order  underwent  many  reformations ;  the 
primitive  rule  being  always  kept  in  view,  but 
new  and  particular  constitutions  being  added. 
Hence  are  derived  all  those  observances,  which 
have  taken  distinctive  names ;  such  as  the  ob- 
servance of  Cluny,  that  of  Saint  Tustin ;  the 
observance  of  Savigny,  of  Burstield,  of  St. 
Maurus,  &c.  All  these  are  so  many  branches 
of  the  parent-tree ;  and  all  invariably  recog- 
nize the  illustrious  St.  Benedict  as  their  father. 

The  spirit  of  this  glorious  founder  was  com- 
municated to  his  children,  by  whom  it  was 
kept  up  during  a  long  time  in  its  native  purity ; 

9* 


18  INTRODUCTION. 

but  in  the  end,  what  happens  to  all  institutions, 
wherein  men  are  the  necessary  actors,  happened 
also  to  these  congregations.  Little  by  little  the 
primitive  fervor  began  to  diminish;  successive 
relaxations  insensibly  introduced  abuses  op- 
posed to  religious  austerity;  custom  in  the 
course  of  time  took  the  place  of  the  rule  of  St. 
Benedict,  until  at  last  it  would  be  difficult  to 
discover  among  many  communities  anything 
approaching  to  the  monastic  discipline  esta- 
blished by  their  holy  founder.  They  were 
Benedictines  in  name,  and  not  in  fact.  Hence 
arose  the  necessity  of  new  reforms  to  arrest  the 
fall  of  monastic  discipline.  It  is  not  our  in- 
tention, nor  is  it  the  design  of  this  introduction, 
to  follow  the  cenobitical  profession  through  its 
various  reforms ;  we  shall  merely  point  out  one 
of  the  most  important,  and  that  which  must 
always  be  most  dear  to  the  Cistercian  order ; 
we  mean  the  reform  that  had  been  brought 
about  in  the  latter  end  of  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury, through  the  agency  of  the  Abbe  Ranee, 
at  a  monastery  situated  in  the  heart  of  a  de- 
sert, called  La  Trappe.  We  may  also  be  per- 
mitted to  add,  en  passant,  that  from  this  name 
of  La  Trappe  is  derived  the  patronymic  de- 
nomination that  was  afterwards  given  to  all 
the  communities  which  embraced  the  reform 
operated  at  first  in  the  monastery  of  this  name. 


INTRODUCTION.  19 

Taking  up,  then,  the  thread  of  our  remarks,  wo 
shall  proceed  to  relate,  in  as  few  words  as  we 
can,  in  what  manner  regular  monastic  ob- 
servance was  again  resuscitated,  as  if  from  its 
ashes,  by  Divine  Providence. 

God  made  use  of,  for  this  work,  some  reli- 
gious belonging  to  a  monastery,  named  Molesme, 
in  the  diocese  of  Langres.  These  good  religious, 
animated  by  the  spirit  of  their  rule,  were  terri- 
fied at  the  frightful  degree  of  relaxation  that 
they  daily  witnessed.  Despairing  of  staying 
the  torrent  in  which  their  abbey  was  engulphed, 
they  had  recourse  to  an  extraordinary  means, 
which,  through  the  mercy  of  God,  succeeded. 
Seven  among  them  having  united,  go  together 
to  Hugues,  Archbishop  of  Lyons,  and  Legate 
from  the  Holy  See  in  France ;  they  lay  before 
him  the  difficulties  with  which  they  were  sur- 
rounded, and  complain  that  they  were  unable 
to  observe  the  rule,  to  which  they  had  solemnly 
sworn;  asking  at  the  same  time  to  be  autho- 
rized to  separate  from  their  brothers,  and  to  be 
permitted  to  establish  themselves  in  some  other 
place,  where  they  might  be  able  to  practice 
thoroughly  the  statutes,  rules  and  observances 
of  their  fathers.  This  pious  prelate  approved 
of  their  zeal,  and  granted  them,  by  his  autho- 
rity, the  faculty  necessary  to  put  into  execution 
their  pious  designs.     Satisfied  with  the  success 


20  INTRODUCTION. 

of  their  undertaking,  they  no  longer  made  any 
secret  of  their  intentions,  but  associating  as 
many  of  the  brothers  as  wished  to  follow  their 
example,  they  boldly  departed  from  Molesme. 
Saint  Robert  was  constituted  the  conductor 
and  chief  of  the  pious  colony;  he  led  them 
into  Burgundy,  and  established  them  in  the 
recesses  of  a  dense  forest,  called  Oiteaux,  from 
the  number  of  springs  of  fresh  and  pure  water 
with  which  it  was  favored  by  nature.  This 
place  was  in  the  diocese  of  Chalons.  Here 
they  built  a  monastery  in  the  year  1098,  to 
which  they  gave  the  name  of  the  forest,  and 
here  was  laid  the  foundation  of  that  kind  of 
life  having  for  its  object  the  strict  observance 
of  the  rule  of  St.  Benedict,  which  afterwards, 
under  the  denomination  of  the  Order  of  Cis- 
tercians,  {Ordo  Cisterciensis,)  became  as  if  the 
type  of  all  the  monasteries  that  in  succeeding 
ages  were  formed  after  this  model.  These  noble 
servants  of  God  experienced  numerous  diffi- 
culties, and  very  great  obstacles,  before  their 
final  establishment;  being  obliged  to  build  a 
monastery  in  the  midst  of  a  thick  forest,  with- 
out other  assistance  than  their  own  zeal  and 
devotion,  and  being  withal  persecuted  by  the 
evil  ones  of  the  world,  and  even  by  the  relaxed 
and  scandalous  brothers  of  Molesme,  from  whom 
they  had  separated,  and  who  considered  this 


INTRODUCTION.  21 

very  separation  an  insult  to  themselves,  and  a 
reproof  of  their  relaxed  and  libertine  manner 
of  living.  But  God,  who  had  directed  them  in 
their  undertaking,  gave  them  courage  and 
strength  to  overcome  their  enemies,  and  con- 
stantly shed  upon  them  abundant  blessings. 
The  first  three  Cistercian  abbots  are  canonized 
saints,  and  are  invoked  under  the  names  of 
Saint  Robert,  Saint  Alberick,  and  Saint  Stephen ; 
— the  last  of  whom,  by  the  way,  was  an  English- 
man, the  friend  and  companion  of  St.  Bernard, 
and  one  of  the  most  remarkable  men,  even  in 
a  secular  point  of  view,  of  his  age. 

Saint  Alberick  was  distinguished  for  devotion 
towards  the  ever-blessed  Virgin,  and  received 
from  that  powerful  protectress  of  the  order  the 
most  touching  marks  of  her  benevolence.  One 
day  she  appeared  to  him,  and  presented  for  his 
acceptance  a  white  cowl;  the  same  that  is  now 
worn  by  the  Trappists.  After  that  miraculous 
gift,  the  habits  of  the  Cistercian  religious  were 
ordered  to  be  made  of  a  white  material,  whereas 
before,  they  were  of  black.  This  fact,  reported 
by  grave  authors,  and  which  judicious  critics 
have  not  dared  to  call  in  question,  has  now-a- 
days  received  historic  sanction. 

Saint  Stephen  was  abbot  of  Citeaux,  when 
Saint  Bernard,  descended  from  a  noble  Bur- 
gundian   family,  together   with  thirty  of  his 


22  INTRODUCTION. 

noble  companions,  embraced  the  monastic  state 
in  the  year  1113.  It  is  needless  to  mention 
that  we  have  reference  to  the  great  St.  Bernard, 
afterwards  abbot  of  Clairvaux,  and  reckoned  on 
account  of  his  genius  and  immortal  works, 
among  the  number  of  the  Holy  Fathers  of  the 
Church. 

It  was  also  under  the  abbatial  jurisdiction 
of  St.  Stephen,  that  the  monastery  of  Citeaux 
obtained  so  great  an  increase  of  subjects,  that 
it  was  enabled  to  build  and  colonize  divers 
other  abbeys  in  different  parts  of  France.  But 
these  abbeys  were  not  bound,  one  to  the  other ; 
they  were  independent,  and  even  the  abbey  of 
Citeaux,  the  mother  of  all,  had  no  control  over 
her  own  daughters.  It  was  then  to  be  feared 
that  the  regular  observance  of  the  rule  of  St. 
Benedict  might  be  endangered.  To  avoid  any 
such  contingency,  and  to  strengthen  the  new 
reform  by  uniting  all  the  monasteries  under 
one  chief,  St.  Stephen  called  an  assembly  at 
Citeaux  of  all  the  abbots  and  superiors  of  the 
order.  By  this  assembly  a  fundamental  statute, 
bearing  for  its  title  the  "  Charter  of  Charity,'''^' 

*  This  Charter  of  (Jliarity  is  in  the  monastic  world  what  a 
constitutional  charter  would  be  in  the  political ;  with  this  dif- 
ference, however,  that  the  latter  has  no  force  but  during  the 
life  of  the  prince  by  whom  it  was  granted,  whereas  the  former, 
on  the  contrary,  when  duly  approved  of  by  the  competent 
authority,  i.  e.,  by  the  head  of  the  Church,  remains  in  force 


INTRODUCTION.  23 

was  unanimously  agreed  upon.  The  principal 
articles  of  this  statute  established  the  hierarchy 
of  the  order,  uniformity  in  manners  and  cus- 
toms, the  visiting  of  the  abbeys  by  the  superior 
in  chief,  the  holding  of  general  chapters,  and 
the  formalities  to  be  observed  in  the  election 
or  deposition  of  abbots.  This  statute  was 
approved  and  confirmed  in  1119,  by  Pope 
Calixtus  II.,  and  in  1152,  by  Pope  Eugenius 
III.  It  is  still  observed  in  France  in  all  the 
monasteries  of  La  Trappe,  as  having  the  force 
of  law  upon  all  such  points. 

The  fourth  abbey  founded  by  St.  Stephen 
was  that  of  Morimond  in  the  diocese  of  Langres, 
in  Champaigne.  This  abbey  Avas  founded  in 
the  year  1115.  It  had  for  its  third  abbot,  Otho, 
the  son  of  Leopold,  Marquis  of  Austrasia 
(filius  Marchionis  Austriaz) ;  he  would  in 
modern  language  be  called  Archduke  of  Austria. 
This  young  prince,  whilst  returning  from  Paris, 
whither  he  had  been  sent  for  education  by  his 
father,  stopped  with  fifteen  of  his  college  com- 
panions to  visit  the  abbey  of  Moribond,  through 
mere  curiosity,  but  grace  touched  their  hearts 
so  powerfully,  that  all  assumed  the  holy  habit ; 
and  what  is  still  more  remarkable,  all  perse- 
forever,  unless  urgent  motives  demand  its  suppression ; — and 
not  even  then,  unless  all  the  parties  interested  agree  to  its  being 
cancelled. 


24  INTRODUCTION. 

vered,  and  after  the  customary  noviciate,  were 
admitted  to  make  a  solemn  profession.  Otho 
deserved  very  soon  to  be  promoted  to  the 
dignity  of  abbot,  and  afterwards,  but  at  a  later 
period,  was  consecrated  bishop  of  Frisingue. 

At  the  time  that  Otho  was  abbot  of  Mori- 
mond,  "  ilie  nohle  Gontard,  on  the  2Qt7i  June  of 
the  year  1137; — (we  copy  the  inscription  on 
marble  which  is  to  be  seen  to  this  day  in  the 
cloister  of  the  monastery  of  Aiguebelle,)  the 
nohle  Qontard,  son  of  Loup,  and  Lord  of  Roche- 
fort,  granted  a  certam  poiiion  of  land  to  him 
belonging,  for  purpose  of  building  an  abbey  in 
honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin."  This  land,  at 
first  known  by  the  name  of  Val-honnete  (vallis 
honesta) ;  was  after  the  building  of  the  monas- 
tery distinguished  by  the  name  of  Aiguebelle 
(aqua  bella),  which  the  monks  gave  it.  As  is 
always  practiced  in  the  order,  twelve  religious 
with  a  superior  at  their  head,  were  despatched 
from  Morimond  to  take  possession  of  this  new 
abbey :  the  superior  of  the  present  occasion 
was  the  venerable  William,  first  abbot  of  Aigue- 
belle. This  abbey  subsisted,  according  to  the 
Annals  of  Aiguebelle,  in  a  more  or  less  pros- 
perous condition,  and  with  more  or  less  religious 
fervor,  until  the  fjital  epoch  of  the  first  French 
revolution,  which  was  the  implacable  destroyer 
of   every   religious    and   virtuous   institution. 


INTRODUCTION.  25 

Aiguebelle  was  obliged  to  succumb  before  the 
standard  of  destruction  and  blood  that  floated 
over  France,  the  religious  were  expelled,  and 
the  monastery  given  up  to  plunder,  and  after- 
wards sold  as  pubUc  property. 

When  calmer  days  returned  to  unhappy 
France,  the  religious  then  began  to  show  them- 
selves also.  Dom.  Augustin  (known  in  the 
world  by  the  name  of  Louis  Henry  de  Les- 
trange),  who  in  spite  of  exile  and  of  all  kinds 
of  tribulation,  had  been  able  to  save  some  por- 
tion of  monastic  regularity,  now  returned  from 
America.  His  first  care,  upon  arriving  in 
France,  was  to  restore  to  his  beloved  country, 
the  deposit  he  had  taken  so  much  pains  to 
preserve;  he  hastened  to  repurchase  the  primi- 
tive La  Trappe,  the  abbey  of  Mons.  de  Ranee, 
and  the  cradle  and  chief  place  of  the  order, 
from  which  he  had  been  expelled  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  revolution.  He  called  thither 
a  part  of  the  religious,  the  companions  of  his 
exile ;  others  he  established  at  Belle-Fontaine, 
near  Angers,  and  the  remainder  were  sent  to 
Aiguebelle,  which  he  found  means  of  purchasing 
also.  Aiguebelle  {Aqiia  Bella)  is  situated  in 
the  diocese  of  Valence,  Dauphiny,  at  about 
twenty  French  miles  from  Montelimart,  and 
half  way  between  it  and  Grignan,  the  former 
country-seat  of  the  celebrated  Madame  de 
3 


26  INTRODUCTION. 

Sevlgne.  Dom.  Augustin  ordered  that  the  re- 
lidous  whom  he  had  sent  there,  should  ac- 
knowledge  as  their  local  superior  the  Reverend 
Father  Stephen,  late  prior  of  Val-Sainte,  and 
who  had  the  principal  hand  in  the  restoration 
of  monastic  discipline  in  the  last-named  monas- 
tery. Scarcely  were  they  established  in  their 
new  abode,  than  the  zealous  superior  and  his 
community  commenced  the  work  of  rebuilding 
the  monastery.  God  blessed  their  labors;  little 
by  little,  the  buildings  were  renovated;  the 
lands  well  cultivated,  recovered  their  former 
fertility,  and  novices  flocked  from  all  directions 
to  participate  in  the  merits  and  penances  of  the 
holy  brotherhood.  Considerable  purchases  of 
new  farms  were  made,  and  Aiguebelle  is  now 
become  as  flourishing  as  it  ever  had  been  in  its 
most  palmy  days. 

Father  Stephen  had  at  first  only  the  title  of 
prior;  but  Aiguebelle  having  been  raised  to 
the  dignity  of  an  abbey,  he  was  elected  abbot 
on  the  13th  of  August,  1834,  and  died  full  of 
years  and  virtues  on  the  12th  of  April,  1840. 
The  life  of  this  eminent  religious,  who  pursued 
so  pious  a  career  to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety- 
six  years,  has  been  written,  in  1841,  by  Mons. 
Casimir  Gaillardin,  Professor  of  History  in  the 
College  Royal  of  Louis-le-Grand,  Paris.  The 
tomb  which  his  sorrowing  children  of  Aigue- 


INTRODUCTION.  27 

belle  have  placed  over  his  mortal  remains,  bears 
for  inscription  the  words  "  Amator  regulae  et 
fratrum"  Lover  of  his  rule  and  brethren ;  a 
particular  affection  towards  his  co-religious, 
united  to  ardent  zeal  for  the  strict  observance 
of  the  holy  rule,  being  his  most  remarkable 
attributes. 

Some  years  before  his  death,  he  pointed  out 
for  the  suffrages  of  the  community  Dom.  Orsi- 
sius,  whom  he  had  already  appointed  prior, 
and  whom  he  desired  to  see  elected  abbot 
during  his  own  life.  He  pleaded  his  own  ex- 
treme old  age,  and  his  many  infirmities  that 
rendered  him  incapable  of  performing  the  ab- 
batial  duties,  now  become  very  onerous  in  con- 
sequence of  the  great  increase  of  the  congrega- 
tion. The  religious  at  length  acceded  to  his 
wishes,  and  united  their  suffrages  upon  the  per- 
son whom  he  designated.  But,  independently 
of  the  affection  that  Dom.  Stephen  bore  to 
Dom.  Orsisius,  the  reunion  of  good  qualities 
and  of  virtues  essentially  monastic,  recom- 
mended the  latter  to  the  suffrages  of  his  bre- 
thren, notwithstanding  his  being  yet  young  in 
years  and  in  religion.  He  was  especially  be- 
loved for  his  goodness  of  heart,  and  for  the 
amiability  of  character,  that  the  numerous 
cares  incident  to  his  office  had  uo  power  to 
change;  and  the  art  of  uniting  which   with 


28  INTRODUCTION. 

the  exact  observance  of  discipline  he  possessed 
in  an  eminent  degree.  He  was  constantly 
cherished  by  his  subjects,  and  regarded  in  the 
light  of  a  beloved  father,  notwithstanding  his 
indefatigable  ardor  in  maintaining  the  max- 
ims of  his  predecessors,  and  in  reviving  the 
usages  and  holy  practices  of  the  primitive 
founders  of  the  order.  His  administration, 
tending  daily  more  and  more  to  increase  the 
prosperity  of  the  monastery,  has  sufficiently 
justified  the  choice  in  his  election,  which  took 
place  on  the  31st  of  October,  1837;  the  Lord 
Bishop  of  Avignon,  Mgr.  Dupont,  imparting 
the  abbatial  benediction  a  short  time  after- 
wards, as  will  be  related  by  way  of  episode  in 
the  life  of  Father  Maria  Ephraim.  Before  be- 
coming a  Cistercian  monk,  he  was  named  John 
Baptist  Carayon,  and  held  an  exalted  station 
among  the  clergy  of  the  diocese  of  Alb3\ 

The  Abbey  of  Aiguebelle  is  not  the  only 
Cistercian  monastery  that  exists  at  the  pre- 
sent day  in  France.  There  are  many  others 
(eighteen  in  all ;  eleven  of  men,  and  seven  of 
women)  in  that  country,  not  to  mention  those 
established  in  other  parts  of  Europe,  nor  those 
in  America  and  Algeria.  Before  proceeding  to 
give  an  account  of  the  establishment  of  the 
Abbey  of  La  Trappe  of  Gethsemani,  Diocese 
of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  it  may  not  be  unin- 


INTRODUCTION.  29 

terestiiig  to  the  reader,  if  we  give  a  short  list 
of  the  names  and  locations  of  the  various  Cis- 
tercian monasteries  in  France.  This  we  do 
the  more  willingly,  as  it  is  to  one  of  them — 
that  of  Melleray — that  the  colony  now  esta- 
blished at  Gethsemani  owes  its  origin,  and  the 
making  known  of  which  to  the  faithful  of 
America,  is  the  princijDal  design  of  the  follow- 
ing publication. 

MONASTERIES   OF   THE    CISTERCIAN   CONGREGATION  IN 

FRANCE. 

Cardinal  Protector  of  the  order  at  Rome,  S.  E.  LAMBRU- 
SCHINI,  S.  R.  E.  C. 

General  Superintendent  of  the  affairs  of  the  order  at  Rome, 
the  Most  Rev.  Father  D.  GDERAKGER,  O.  B.  S.  0. 

A^car   General    of    the    order   in    France,  the    Very   Rev. 
Father  JOSEPH  MARIA,  Abbot  of  the  Grande  Trappe. 

Mother  House,  in  the  Diocese  of  Seez,  Maison  Dieu  of  Our 
Lady  of  the  Grande  Trappe,  near  Mortagne,  (Orne.) 

Diocese  of  Kaniez.     Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Melleray, 
near  Chateaubriant,  (Loire  Inferieure.) 

Diocese  of  Mans.     Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Port  du  Salut, 
Laval,  (Mayenne.) 

Diocese  of  Angers.    Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Bellefontaine, 
Chollet,  (Maine  et  Loire.) 

Diocese  of  Amiens.     Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Gard,  Pe- 
quigny,  (Somme.) 

Diocese  of  Valence.     Our  Lady  of  Aiguebelle,  Montelimart, 
(Drome.) 

Diocese  of  Sirashoiirg.     Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Mont  des 
Olives,  Mulbausen,  (Haut  Rhin.) 

Diocese  of  Coutances.   Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Grace,  Bric- 
quebec,  (Manche.) 
3* 


30  INTRODUCTION. 

Diocese  of  Cambrai.  Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Mont  de 
Cats,  Bailleul,  (Nord.) 

Diocese  of  Besancon.  Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Val  Sainte 
Marie,  Ornans,  (Doubs.) 

Diocese  of  Vannes.  Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Thymadeuc, 
(Morbihan.) 

MONASTERIES  OF   CISTERCIAN  NUNS. 

Diocese  of  Mans.  Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  St.  Catharine, 
Laval,  (Mayenne.) 

Diocese  of  Strasbourg.  Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Mercy, 
Oelemberg,  near  Mulhausen,  (ILaut  Rhin.) 

Diocese  of  Angers.  Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Les  Gardes, 
Chemill6,  (Maine  et  Loire.) 

Diocese  of  Lyons.  Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Consolation, 
De  Vaise,  Lyons,  (Rhone.) 

Diocese  of  Bayeux.  Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Monday e, 
Bayeux,  (Calvados.) 

Diocese  of  Valence.  Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Maubec, 
Montelimart,  (Drome.) 

Diocese  of  Saint  Diez.  Our  Lady  of  La  Trappe  of  Ubexy, 
Charmes,  (Vosges.) 

These  different  monasteries  were  established 
in  France  almost  immediately  after  the  first 
French  revolution;  that  is,  as  soon  as  the 
reign  of  terror  and  confusion  had  come  to  an 
end,  and  men  began  to  awake  from  their  dream 
of  anarchy  and  impiety.  They  at  first  formed 
separate  and  distinct  congregations,  and  were 
bound  to  one  another  by  no  common  bond  of 
union.  At  length,  by  the  solicitation  of  the 
local  superiors  of  the  principal  houses,  our  Holy 
Father,  Pope  Gregory  XVI.,  issued  a  decree, 


INTRODUCTION.  31 

bearing  date  the  3rd  of  October,  1834,  by 
which  lie  definitively  sanctioned  the  congrega- 
tion of  Trappists  in  France,  and  confirmed  all 
the  privileges  of  the  order.  In  accordance  with 
the  wishes  of  the  primitive  fonnders  of  the 
Cistercians,  and  according  to  the  spirit  of  the 
"  Charter  of  Charity"  to  which  we  have  already 
alluded,  this  decree  established  a  superior  Gene- 
ral of  the  whole  order,  whose  special  duty  it 
was  to  examine  into  the  elections  of  the  abbots, 
and  to  confirm  or  annul  such  elections,  accord- 
ing to  circumstances.  It  also  enacts  the  hold- 
ing of  general  chapters,  to  which  the  abbots 
and  priors  of  the  various  monasteries  are  to 
assemble ;  it  prescribes  a  yearly  visitation  of 
the  general  superior  to  each  individual  mon- 
astery, fixes  the  ritual  to  the  decree  of  the  20th 
of  April,  1822,  and  limits  to  certain  hours  the 
duration  of  manual  labor.  Finally,  it  enacts, 
that  "  All  the  monasteries  of  Trappists  in 
France  shall  form  but  one  congregation,  under 
the  name  and  title  of  '  Congregation  of  Cister- 
cian Religious  of  Our  Lady  of  La  Trapped  " 

We  shall  now,  in  a  second  introductory 
chapter,  proceed  to  relate  the  cause  and  man- 
ner of  the  Trappists  establishing  themselves  at 
Gethsemani,  Diocese  of  Louisville,  Kentucky. 


CHAPTER   II. 

CONTAINING  A  BRIEF  NARRATION  OP  THE  RISE  AND 
FOUNDATION  OF  OUR  LADY  OF  LA  TRAPPE  OF  GETHSE- 
MANI,    (KENTUCKY.) 

The  community  of  Getlisemani,  Nelson 
County,  Kentucky,  U.  S.,  is  a  colony  from  the 
Abbey  of  Mellera}^,  Diocese  of  Nantez,  of  the 
Department  of  Loire-Inferieure,  France.  The 
abbot  of  the  latter  establishment  had  concluded 
arrangements  with  the  French  government,  to 
found  a  house  of  the  order  in  the  island  of  Mar- 
tinique, West  Indies,  on  an  estate  granted  upon 
very  favorable  conditions  by  the  then  reign- 
ing king,  Louis  Philippe,  for  that  purpose  ;  but 
that  king's  government  having  been  annihilated 
by  the  late  French  revolution,  the  design  was 
abandoned.  He  now  turned  his  eyes  towards 
the  United  States  of  America,  and  finally  re- 
solved to  found  a  house  there ;  the  great  num- 
bers of  subjects  at  Melleray,  and  the  daily 
arrival  of  new  postulants  for  admission  render- 
ing the  step  almost  necessary  to  the  well-being 
of  the  order.  He  sent  in  consequence  two  of 
his  most  prudent  fathers  to  explore  and  seek 
(32) 


INTRODUCTION.  33 

out  an  eligible  site  upon  the  eminently  hospi- 
table shores  of  America.  Quitting  their  mon- 
astery and  their  beloved  solitude  on  the  25th 
of  May,  1848,  these  good  religious,  whom  no- 
thing short  of  obedience  could  induce  to  mingle 
again  with  the  great  world,  proceeded  to  Paris 
to  obtain  the  necessary  information,  and  to  con- 
sult in  relation  to  their  mission,  the  repre- 
sentative of  His  Holiness  at  the  French  metro- 
polis. The  Nuncio  was  delighted  with  their 
project,  and  approved  of  it  with  his  whole  heart. 
He  moreover  gave  them  letters  of  recommen- 
dation to  the  venerable  Mgr.  Flaget,  Bishop  of 
Louisville,  whose  zeal  for  the  propagation  of 
everything  appertaining  to  religion  was  well 
known  to  him,  and  who  "is  already,"  said  he, 
"held  as  a  saint  in  Rome."  The  two  religious 
having  now  obtained  the  apostolical  benediction 
for  themselves  and  their  contemplated  opera- 
tions, set  out  from  Paris  for  Havre  de  Grace  on 
the  1st  of  June.  Here  they  met  another  colony 
of  religious,  whom  the  Abbe  Moreau,  Founder 
and  General-Superior  of  the  Society  of  the  Holy 
Cross  at  Mans,  (Department  of  La  Sarthe, 
France,)  was  dispatching  in  aid  of  the  establish- 
ment that  he  had  not  long  before  founded  in 
the  State  of  Indiana,  U.  S.  Uniting;  with  these 
in  purchasing  provisions  and  other  things 
necessary  for  the  voyage  across  the  Atlantic, 


34  INTRODUCTION. 

they  took  passage  on  board  of  the  packet-ship, 
the  Roscoe,  a  regular  trader  between  Havre 
and  New  York.  The  captain  very  obhgingly 
granted  them  a  separate  cabin,  so  that,  undis- 
turbed by  the  other  passengers,  that  were  to 
the  number  of  four  hundred,  they  were  enabled 
to  offer  almost  every  day  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of 
the  Mass,  during  the  passage,  and  to  attend 
without  restraint  to  their  religious  duties.  On 
the  feast  of  the  Visitation,  there  were  two 
masses  celebrated  aboard ;  one  at  6  o'clock,  and 
the  other,  a  solemn  high  mass,  with  deacon  and 
subdeacon,  at  9  o'clock.  At  this  mass,  the 
members  of  the  Holy  Cross,  together  with  some 
others  of  the  pious  passengers,  received  the 
Holy  Communion.  At  2  o'clock  on  the  same 
day,  vespers  were  sung,  at  wdiich  all  on  board 
assisted,  and  accompanied  the  religious  in  sing- 
ing the  praises  of  the  Lord;  but  more  espe- 
cially eight  professional  musicians,  who  were 
proceeding  to  America  on  professional  engage- 
ments, and  who  sang  artistically,  and  accom- 
panied on  their  instruments  the  singing  of  the 
psalms. 

"  We  arrived,"  writes  one  of  the  good  Fa- 
thers, "  we  arrived  in  sight  of  New  York  on  the 
13th  of  July,  and  landed  the  next  morning, 
after  a  prosperous  voyage  of  thirty-eight  days. 
After  reposing  in  that  city  a  few  days,  w^e  set 


INTRODUCTION.  35 

out  for  Louisville,  where  we  arrived  on  the 
22nd.  Mgr.  Flaget,  to  whom  w^e  had  letters 
of  introduction,  received  us  with  all  the  af- 
fection of  a  father  embracing  after  a  long 
absence  his  own  children.  As  soon  as  we  in- 
formed him  of  the  cause  of  our  coming,  he  in- 
stantly exclaimed  that  God  had  heard  his 
prayers,  and  that  for  many  years  he  desired 
nothing  so  ardently  as  to  see  a  similar  esta- 
blishment in  his  diocese  before  he  had  finished 
his  earthly  pilgrimage.  He  immediately  offered 
us  as  a  location,  a  farm  that  had  formerly  be- 
longed to  the  Trappists  who  had  been  obliged 
to  emigrate  from  France  at  the  time  of  the 
first  French  revolution;  and  who,  after  having 
run  through  many  kingdoms  of  Europe,  had 
at  length  settled  down  in  America,  where  they 
remained  until  recalled  by  their  superiors  to 
recruit  the  houses  that  the  French  government 
permitted  to  be  re-opened. 

"  The  location  offered  not  possessing  the  at- 
tributes required  for  our  establishments,  we 
turned  our  attention  towards  Gethsemani, 
w^iich,  we  were  told,  could  be  purchased  from 
its  present  owners.  This  latter  place  was  more 
suitable  for  many  reasons;  the  principal  of 
which  may  be,  its  topographical  situation,  and 
the  buildnigs  belonging  to  it,  which  may  serve 
as  a  temporary  shelter  for  the  new  colonists, 


36  INTRODUCTION. 

until  time  and  means  would  permit  tliem  to 
build  a  monastery.  It  did  not,  however,  unite 
all  the  conveniences  that  may  be  found  in  other 
parts  of  the  Union.  The  land  was  impoverished 
by  bad  cultivation,  and  through  the  negligence 
of  the  negroes  who  were  employed  upon  it.  It 
belonged  to  the  Sisters  of  Loretto,  who  had 
established  there  a  boarding-school  for  young 
ladies.  The  price  demanded  for  it  appeared 
also  too  great;  the  impoverished  state  of  the 
land  being  taken  into  consideration,  and  the 
ruinous  condition  of  most  of  the  buildinsfs, 
offices  and  out-houses.  The  generosity,  how- 
ever, of  the  mother-superior,  who  at  that  time 
governed  the  community,  did  away  with  all 
objection,  for  she  granted  us,  by  an  act  of  pure 
charity,  all  the  furniture,  the  harvest  then 
ripening,  all  the  instruments  of  agriculture,  and 
all  the  horses  and  cattle  belonging  to  the  esta- 
blishment; a  benefaction  for  which  we  shall 
always  entertain  sentiments  of  the  most  lively 
gratitude.  The  purchase  was  finally  made, 
and  terms  agreed  upon,  for  the  ratification  of 
which  nothing  was  wanted  but  the  consent  of 
our  superiors  in  France.  We  accordingly  wrote 
to  them,  plainly  laying  open  the  whole  trans- 
action, and  soliciting  their  approval  of  our  pro- 
ceedings. They  immediately  answered  accord- 
ing to  our  expectations,  fully  approving  by  their 


INTRODUCTION. 


37 


authority  all  tlie  engagements  we  had  entered 
into.  One  of  us  then  returned  to  France,  and 
again  entered  his  beloved  solitude,  whilst  the 
other  was  obliged  to  remain  in  America,  to  make 
preparations  for  the  reception  of  the  forty-five 
religious,  whose  speedy  arrival  was  announced 
by  the  letter  of  his  superior." 

The  colony  appointed  to  proceed  to  America, 
and  destined  for  the  formation  of  the  new  con- 
gregation, departed  from  Melleray  on  the  24th 
of  October,  1848,  after  having  fulfilled  the  cere- 
monial usual  on  such  occasions.  All  the  com- 
munity assembled  in  the  church  of  the  mon- 
astery to  implore  the  blessing  of  heaven  upon 
the  journey,  and  to  obtain  for  the  departing 
religious  a  sufficient  degree  of  divine  grace  to 
be  enabled  to  live  and  persevere  in  an  union 
with  God.  The  latter  prostrated  themselves 
on  the  earth,  whilst  their  brethren  were  solemn- 
ly chaunting  the  responses  and  psalms  for  the 
occasion.  All  rose,  when  the  prayers  were 
ended,  and  formed  a  procession,  having  at  its 
head  two  crosses.  They  issued  from  the  church 
in  two  ranks,  Dom.  Maximus,  Abbot  of  Mel- 
leray, and  the  Rev.  Father  Eutropius,  the 
chosen  superior  of  the  new  foundation,  bringing 
up  the  rear.  A  numerous  crowd,  assembled  from 
the  various  neighboring  localities  to  assist  at 


the  moving   ceremony,  followed.     Arrived  at 

^  443333 


38  INTRODUCTION. 

the  spot  already  marked  for  final  separation, 
the  two  ranlvs,  each  with  a  separate  cross  at  its 
head,  took  each  a  different  direction.  Then 
began  a  scene,  the  remembrance  of  which  shall 
forever  remain  engraven  in  the  memory  of  all 
that  witnessed  it.  The  religious  about  quitting 
their  native  country,  and  about  to  traverse  at 
immense  peril  immense  seas,  began  to  embrace 
the  brethren  they  were  leaving  behind.  All 
hearts  were  moved,  for  they  were  taking  leave 
of  friends  that  they  never  expected  to  see  again 
at  this  side  of  the  grave  :  tears  burst  forth  from 
many  among  Uiem,  whilst  groaning  and  sobs 
marked  the  suppressed  emotion  of  the  greater 
number.  The  colony  for  America  took  the 
road  to  Ancenis,  a  small  town  upon  the  Loire, 
at  the  distance  of  eighteen  miles  from  Melleray ; 
the  others  returned  back  to  the  penitential 
abode  of  their  monastery.  This  day  was  in  all 
respects  a  day  of  trouble  and  fatigue  to  the 
poor  exiles.  They  made  the  journey  on  foot, 
and  providence  seemed  desirous  of  proving  their 
courage  and  increasing  their  merits  by  sending 
a  drenching  rain,  which  they  suffered  with  all 
the  resignation  to  be  expected  from  those  who 
had  already  given  unequivocal  proofs  of  sub- 
mission to  the  will  of  God.  They  were  hospi- 
tably received  and  entertained  by  the  owner 
of  a  country-house,  situated  a  few  miles  from 


INTRODUCTION.  39 

Ancenis.  After  remaining  at  this  hospitable 
dwelling  a  few  hours,  they  resumed  their  pain- 
ful journey,  and  entered  the  town  about  G 
O'clock,  P.  M.  The  parish  priest  and  some  of 
the  principal  inhabitants  begged  the  superior 
to  permit  his  religious  to  sing  the  "Cistercian 
Salve  Begina"  in  their  church,  to  w^hich  re- 
quest he  willingly  acceded,  as  the  steam-boat 
was  not  expected  to  heave  in  sight  before  8 
O'clock.  The  inhabitants  being  informed  of 
what  was  about  to  take  place,  the  crowd  of 
hearers  became  so  compact,  that  it  was  not 
without  difficulty  that  the  religious  could  open 
a  way  for  themselves  to  the  church.  After  the 
singing  of  that  anthem  consecrated  to  the 
Bl-essed  Virgin,  and  so  much  vaunted  of  by  all 
connoisseurs  of  Melody,  the  General  Superior 
of  the  order,  who  accidentally  happened  to  be 
present,  gave  a  solemn  benediction  of  the  Most 
Holy  Sacrament,  to  which  the  crowd  attended 
with  sentiments  of  the  most  sincere  piety. 

The  steam-boat  for  Tours  soon  after  made 
her  appearance,  and  the  pious  brothers  pro- 
ceeded from  the  town  to  the  place  of  embarka- 
tion, receiving  the  reiterated  adieus  of  that 
population,  so  greatly  moved  at  the  sight  of 
forty  and  more  young  persons  leaving  forever 
their  relations,  friends,  and  country,  through 
zeal  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  extension  of 


40  INTRODUCTION. 

His  holy  religion.  Eight  O'clock  was  striking 
as  they  entered  the  boat,  lighted  by  the  flam- 
beaus which  the  inhabitants  of  Ancenis  had 
the  great  goodness  to  procure,  in  order  to  faci- 
litate the  short  passage  from  the  town  to  tlie 
place  of  embarkation.  The  captain  of  the 
boat  received  them  with  every  mark  of  respect, 
accompanied  by  that  politeness  so  character- 
istic of  the  captains  belonging  to  the  internal 
navigation  of  France.  Arriving  the  next 
morning  without  accident  at  the  landing  of 
Tours,  they  immediately  proceeded  to  the 
station  of  the  Paris  rail-road ;  keeping  in  ranks, 
and  having  a  cross  at  their  head ; — the  same 
cross  they  had  brought  from  Melleray,  and 
which  they  never  relinquished  until  their  ar- 
rival at  the  place  of  destination;  it  is  now  ]3re- 
served  at  Gethsemani,  as  an  esteemed  me- 
morial of  their  peregrinations.  They  walked 
with  downcast  eyes,  and  in  strict  silence,  for 
the  Trappists  are  rigorously  bound  to  silence 
at  all  times  and  on  all  occasions,  nothing  dis- 
pensing them  from  it,  but  the  express  per- 
mission of  their  superior.  The  persons  whom 
they  met  on  the  way,  asked  one  another  in 
astonishment  "Who  these  people  could  be?" 
Some  imagined  them  to  be  members  of  a  com- 
munity who  were  returning  from  having  paid 
the   last   sad   offices   to  a   departed   brother; 


INTRODUCTION.  41 

others,  that  thej  belonged  to  an  asylum  for 
the  deaf  and  dumb,  and  that  they  were  in  the 
act  of  being  removed  to  a  new  establishment. 
At  length,  some  guessed  rightly,  and  pro- 
claimed them  Trappists.  Having  arrived  at 
the  station,  the  rail-road  officials  treated  them 
with  much  distinction,  and  conferred  upon 
them  some  small  favors,  such  as  granting  them 
a  separate  wagon  of  the  first  class  at  the  same 
charge  as  one  of  the  inferior  wagons.  They 
also  deducted  something  from  the  usual  charge 
for  the  baggage,  "in  order  that,"  said  they, 
"we  also  may  have  some  participation  in  the 
merits  of  a  work  so  eminently  catholic."  They 
arrived  in  Paris  at  the  dawn  of  the  folio  win  2; 
morning,  and  just  as  workmen  were  betaking 
themselves  to  their  various  work-shops,  still 
continuing  the  same  order  and  manner  of 
marching,  as  at  Tours,  and  inspiring  with  the 
same  admiration  the  numerous  persons  they 
met  with  in  the  streets.  Some  uncovered  their 
heads,  whilst  they  were  passing,  and  all  paid 
reverence  to  the  cross  through  a  feeling  of  re- 
ligious awe  never  wanting  to  true  Catholics  at 
the  sight  of  the  symbol  of  salvation.  Nothing, 
in  fine,  but  what  was  most  agreeable,  occurred 
to  them  during  their  march  from  the  rail-road 
station  to  the  Seminary  of  St.  Esprit,  where 

lodgings  had  been  prepared  for  them.     They 
4* 


42  INTRODUCTION. 

then  took  the  night  train  of  cars  for  Havre  de 
Grace,  and  experienced  the  same  ftxvors  at  the 
hands  of  the  officials  of  the  Paris  and  Havre 
vail-road,  that  they  had  ah^eady  enjoyed  from 
their  brethren  at  Tours.     The  cars  arrived  at 
Havre  at  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  the 
religious  brotherhood  proceeded  directly  to  the 
hospitable  roof  of  the  civil  and  military  hospi- 
tal of  that  city,  where  everything  was  already 
prepared  for  their  reception.     The  good  and 
religious   ladies,    to    whom   is    committed   by 
government  the   care  of  that   establishment, 
treated  them  with  all  the  affection  of  mothers 
for  their  own  children,  during  the  whole  time 
they  were   necessitated  to   remain,  until  the 
American  ship,  Brunswick,  in  which  they  had 
taken    passage,    should   have    completed   her 
cargo,   and  be   ready  for  sea.     The  religious, 
habituated  to  manual  labor,  sought  for  some 
employment  to  occupy  their  time.    It  happened 
to  be  the   season  of  the  vintage,  or  rather,  of 
cider-making  in  that  part  of  France.     Some  of 
the  religious  therefore  busied  themselves  at  the 
cider-press,   whilst   others  were   employed  in 
gathering  apples.     Thus  they  passed  their  time 
in  labor  and  prayer,  according  to  the  consti- 
tutions of  their  order,  until  the  day  of  em- 
barkation, which    took   place  on  the   2nd  of 
November. 


INTRODUCTION.  43 

The  number  of  passengers  was  immense,  and 
by  an  unusual  disposition  of  Providence,  there 
were  found  in  the  same  ship  two  distinct  colo- 
nies, as  unhke  in  manners  as  in  object:  one, 
that  of  the  Socialists,  who,  under  the  name  of 
Icarians,  were  proceeding  to  Texas,  in  order  to 
lay  the  foundation,  in  that  distant  region,  of  a 
society  that,  according  to  themselves,  was  destined 
to  bring  back  the  whole  human  family  to  the 
true  principles  of  Fraternity,  Liberty,  and 
Equality  ;  the  other,  that  of  the  Trappists,  sent 
by  Dom.  Maximus,  Abbot  of  Mellera}^,  to  plant 
the  germ  of  La  Trappe  in  the  New  World,  and 
to  desseminate  the  conservative  principles  of 
order  and  morality  by  the  practice  of  the 
Christianity  of  the  first  ages  of  the  church.  The 
passage  was  long  and  tedious.  The  Trappists 
had  the  misfortune  to  lose  by  sickness  one  of 
their  number,  when  two  weeks  at  sea.  All 
the  temporal  and  spiritual  consolation  in  their 
power  was  bestowed  upon  him;  he  accepted 
death  with  joy,  and  with  the  w^ell-founded  hope, 
that  the  sacrifice  which  he  made  of  his  person 
for  the  glory  of  God,  was  graciously  looked 
upon  b}^  his  Divine  Majesty,  who  does  not  wait 
for  the  accomplishment  of  the  work  before 
granting  the  recompense,  but  is  satisfied  with 
the  desire  of  accomplishing  it.  The  greater 
number  suffered  by  sea-sickness,  but  there  was. 


44  INTRODUCTION. 

in  other  repects,  no  serious  malady.  The  dif- 
ference of  opinion  on  religious  and  political 
subjects,  did  not  bring  about,  as  might,  perhaps, 
be  expected,  anything  disagreeable  between 
the  numerous  passengers.  The  religious  busied 
them  in  prayer  and  other  exercises,  as  if  they 
were  in  their  monastery;  they  had  even  the 
happiness  of  offering  a  few  times,  during  the 
voyage,  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  and  of 
receiving  the  Heavenly  Bread,  that  encourages 
the  timid,  and  strengthens  the  weak.  Some 
of  the  other  passengers  also  took  part  in  those 
holy  exercises. 

After  a  stormy  passage  of  thirty-two  days, 
the  coast  of  the  American  continent  at  length 
came  in  sight.  New  Orleans  soon  after  came 
in  view,  and  the  ship  reached  its  port  of  desti- 
nation, without  any  other  occurrence  worth 
mentioning  than  the  general  joy  that  diffused 
itself  over  both  communities  for  the  prosperous 
issue  of  the  voyage.  The  Trappists  having 
landed,  immediately  took  passage  on  one  of 
the  Mississippi  steam-boats  for  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky. After  a  run  of  ten  days,  they  arrived 
at  Portland,  where  they  were  detained  a  whole 
day,  before  reaching  the  city  of  Louisville,  in 
^consequence  of  tlie  canal  being  already  taken 
up  with  other  boats,  departing  for  their  various 
destinations  on  the  Mississippi  and  its  tributary 


INTRODUCTION.  45 

branches.     As    soon    as   they   had   put   their 
baggage  in  a  place  of  safety,  that  was  kindly 
afforded  them  by  a  French  shop-keeper  of  the 
city,  they  proceeded  to  the  residence  of  the 
bishop,  and  were  introduced  by  the  Abbe  Lavi- 
alle,  a  French  priest,  to  the  venerable  apostle 
of  Kentucky,  Mgr.  Flaget,  and  to  his  worthy 
coadjutor,  Mgr.  Spalding.     Beds  were  prepared 
for  their  accommodation  in  the  large  saloons 
used  as  school-rooms  by  the  Sisters  of  Charity, 
who  have  a  large  establishment  in  the  city. 
After  having  assisted,  next  morning,  at  Mass, 
offered  up  expressly  to  return  thanks  to  the 
Great  Giver  of  all  good  for  the  gracious  pro- 
tection afforded,  in  bringing  them  safe  from  so 
many  dangers  of  land  and  sea,  each  brother 
separately   was    presented    to   the   venerable 
Bishop  Flaget,  and  received  his  fatherly  bene- 
diction.    That  venerable  personage  embraced 
each  one  as  he  was  presented  to  him,  asking 
at  the  same  time  his  name  and  country ;  and 
had  always  some  remark  to  make  relative  to 
the   various   localities    that    were   mentioned. 
It  created   some   surprise  to   all  to  hear  him 
address  in  his  native  language  a  Spanish  re- 
ligious that  happened  to  be  among  the  new 
colonists,  eulogizing  the  steadfast  f^xith  of  his 
country,  that   remained  faithful  to  the  holy 
cliurch,  the  mother  of  all  Christians,  notwith- 


46  INTRODUCTION. 

standing  all  the  efforts  of  the  partisans  of 
heresy.  His  coadjutor  bishop,  Mgr.  Spalding, 
was  also  remarkable  for  the  generous  attention 
he  paid  to  the  comforts  of  the  priests  of  the 
new  establishment ;  giving  them  private  cham- 
bers, and  admitting  them  to  his  own  table.  It 
was  the  latter  prelate,  indeed,  who  did  all  the 
honors  of  the  house,  Mgr.  Flaget  being  habitu- 
ally confined  to  his  apartment  by  frequent 
infirmities,  chiefly  caused  by  his  advanced  age. 
After  reposing  one  day  at  Louisville,  our 
wanderers  took  the  route  of  Gethseoiani,  distant 
from  the  latter  city  fifty-six  miles.  The  journey 
was  made  on  foot.  At  Bardstown,  the  original 
Episcopal  city  of  Kentucky,  they  were  hos- 
pitably received  by  the  Jesuit  Fathers,  who 
are  the  owners  of  the  well-known  college  of 
St.  Joseph,  the  ornament  of  the  town,  and  in 
which  many  young  men,  not  only  of  the  sur- 
rounding country,  but  also  of  the  Southern 
States,  have  received  the  blessings  of  a  Chris- 
tian education.  Though  it  was  far  in  the  night, 
when  they  presented  themselves  to  those  good 
fathers,  yet  as  soon  as  the  name  of  Trappists 
was  announced  to  them,  everything  was  put 
in  motion  to  procure  the  necessary  accommo- 
dation. The  next  day,  after  breakfiist,  the 
journey  was  resumed,  interrupted  only  by  a 
short  stay  at  the  small  village  of  New  Haven. 


INTRODUCTION.  47 

The   reverend   parish-priest   of    this   locality, 
upon  whom  they  called  to  pay  their  respects, 
expressed  a  desire  of  their  singing  the  Cister- 
cian " Scih'G  Eegin-a"     In  compliance  with  his 
wishes,  the  journey  was  delayed  half-an-hour, 
and  all  the  religious  proceeded  to  the  church, 
accordingly.     After  this  interesting  ceremony, 
the  journey  was  continued,  and  the  sun  had 
just  gone  down,  when  it  was  announced  in  a 
loud  voice,  by  one  of  the  guides,  that  Grethse- 
mani  was  at  length  in  sight.     Immediately,  all 
with  one    accord    threw   themselves   on   their 
knees  upon  the  ground,  and  offered  up  to  God 
their  souls,  their  hearts,  their  affections,  their 
lives   and   their  ends.      Six   O'clock  was   just 
striking,  as  they  entered  the  house,  to  be  thence- 
forward their  place  of  repose  and  final  rest. 
Some  of  the  former  owners  still  continued  to 
reside  there,  in  consequence  of  the  arrival  of 
the  new  colony  ha\dng  taken  place  more  than 
twenty  days  sooner  than  it  was  expected.    The 
houses   fit   for   human    habitation    were   few. 
They  were  obliged  to  make  use  of  the  farm- 
houses and  grananes  for  dormitones,  until  the 
good  sisters  would  depart  to  their  own  homes. 
Everything    necessary    to    their    support    was 
provided  by  these,  and,  in    a  few    days,   the 
Trappists  were  left  the  solitary  and  peaceful 
possessors  of  Gethsemaui. 


48  INTRODUCTION. 

Now  that  they  had  reached  what  they  em- 
phatically termed  liome,  their  former  austere 
and  laborious  manner  of  living  was  resumed, 
without  scarcely  any  delay.  The  greater  por- 
tion of  the  last  year's  crop  of  Indian  corn  was 
still  standing  in  the  fields;  this  was  to  be 
gathered,  and  the  granaries  and  other  out- 
houses were  to  be  put  in  some  kind  of  repair ; 
for,  as  has  been  before  said,  the  farm  was  in 
the  worst  condition,  owing  to  the  careless 
manner  it  had  been  cultivated  by  the  negroes, 
and  the  out-houses  and  appurtenances  were 
almost  in  a  state  of  total  dilapidation.  The 
remainder  of  the  winter  was  passed  in  labors 
of  this  kind,  and  in  making  preparations  for 
the  next  year's  crop.  A  misfortune  that  was 
near  plunging  them  into  the  deepest  distress, 
was  the  first  trial  sent  by  the  Lord  to  his 
chosen  children.  The  Rev.  Father  Eatropius, 
already  fatigued  before  leaving  France,  by  the 
excessive  labors  his  new  office  of  conducting 
the  colony  had  imposed  upon  him,  and  wholly 
worn  out  by  the  fatigues  of  a  long  voyage 
across  the  Atlantic,  had  scarcelv  reached  his 
destined  retreat  than  he  fell  dangerously  sick. 
The  physicians  that  were  summoned  to  his 
assistance,  all  declared  him  to  be  in  a  most 
critical  state,  and  that,  unless  a  change  for  the 
better  should  take  place  within  a  limited  period, 


INTllODL'CIION.  49 

he  would  of  necessity  succumb  to  the  disease. 
At  leugth,  it  was  solemnly  announced  hy  one 
of  the  attending  physicians,  that  he  should 
make  up  his  mind  for  a  speedy  dissolution,  for 
that  his  disease  had  reached  the  crisis  which 
he  had  long  since  feared,  and  that  no  endeavors 
of  art  could  possibly  prolong  his  life.  His 
confessor  was  charged  with  the  mournful  mis- 
sion of  announcing  to  the  patient  this  intelli- 
gence. The  latter  appeared  by  no  means  moved, 
but  simply  answered:  "May  the  Lord  be 
praised,  and  his  will  be  done !  It  was  his  will, 
that  I  should  conduct  oiihj  to  America  the  new 
colonists ;  and  He  will  find  other  servants  more 
worthy  and  more  faithful  than  I,  to  continue 
the  work."  Prayers  were  offered  to  the  throne 
of  the  Almighty  for  his  recovery,  and  circulars 
were  sent  to  all  the  clergy  of  the  diocese,  beg- 
ffino;  their  intercession  on  his  behalf.  The 
venerable  Mgr.  Flaget  made  it  known  through 
his  secretary,  that  he  had  commenced  in  his 
episcopal  city  of  Louisville,  a  novena  of  Masses, 
for  the  speedy  recovery  of  him  whom  he  cher- 
ished with  his  whole  heart,  and  exhorted  all  to 
unite  their  prayers  with  his  to  obtain  the  grace 
he  implored.  About  the  middle  of  the  novena, 
the  physician  Avho  stood  at  the  foot  of  the 
patient's  bed,  turned  to  the  sorrowing  attend- 
ants, and  declared  that  he  had  not  five  minutes 
5 


/ 


50  INTRODUCTION. 

to  live,  retiring  at  the  same  time.  Scarcely 
had  he  passed  the  door  of  the  chamber, 
\vhen  the  patient,  as  if  awaking  from  stupor, 
lifted  his  eyes  towards  heaven,  and  asked  for 
a  drink ;  and  a  little  after,  something  to  eat. 
From  that  moment  he  became  visibly  better, 
and  the  next  day  was  out  of  all  danger.  All 
attributed  this  almost  miraculous  recovery  to 
the  pious  intercession  of  Bishop  Flaget.  The 
physician,  who,  by  the  way,  was  not  a  Catholic, 
being  informed  that  his  patient  was  still  alive, 
could  scarcely  believe  the  report.  He  returned 
to  see  him,  and  to  his  great  astonishment,  found 
that  all  the  dangerous  symptoms  had  disap- 
peared. General  joy  now  diffused  itself  through 
the  community^  and  a  solemn  thanksgiving  was 
celebrated  for  so  signal  a  mark  of  the  divine 
favor.  Although  he  had,  after  this,  two  relapses, 
occasioned  by  the  unskilfulness  of  those  that 
waited  upon  him,  and  perhaps,  also,  by  his  own 
imprudence,  in  reckoning  too  much  on  the 
divine  aid ;  God,  that  watched  over  his  days, 
and  destined  him  to  complete  the  work  he  had 
so  well  commenced,  always  drew  him  from  the 
danger.  He  was  after  a  few  months  sufficiently 
reinstated  in  health  to  undertake  a  voyage  to 
Europe,  which  the  interests  of  the  new  founda- 
tion rendered  absolutely  necessary.  He  left 
Gethsemani  on  the  4th  of  July,  and  arrived 


INTRODUCTION.  51 

again  in  France  on  the  20tli  of  August,  after  a 
quick  passage  of  thirty-five  days.  His  stay  in 
Europe  was,  however,  longer  than  he  had  cal- 
culated upon,  at  setting  out. 

The  general  chapter,  composed  of  the  supe- 
riors of  all  the  houses  of  the  order,  was 
delayed  in  consequence  of  unavoidable  circum- 
stances; and  the  political  changes  by  which 
the  established  governments  were  afflicted 
about  this  time,  rendered  almost  fruitless  his 
first  attempts  to  obtain  pecuniary  assistance 
from  the  many  pious  and  charitable  inhabi- 
tants of  France,  to  whom  he  had  made  appli- 
cation. The  community  he  had  left  at  Getli- 
semani  was  composed  of  too  few  persons,  to  be 
able  to  profitably  cultivate  the  large  farm  at- 
tached to  that  place.  He  was  consequently 
under  the  necessity  of  increasing  their  number. 
The  Abbot  of  Melleray  granted  him  thirteen 
religious  from  his  own  abbey,  the  expense  of 
whose  passage  across  the  Atlantic  he  was 
obliged  to  defray.  Their  voyage  was  long  and 
painful,  not  being  able  to  reach  their  destina- 
tion before  the  expiration  of  three  months 
from  the  time  of  departure.  In  the  mean  time, 
the  Eev.  Father  Eutropius  was  travelling 
through  many  of  the  French  provinces,  with 
the  object  of  collecting  means,  for  defraying  the 
expenses  of  his  colonists,  from  the  pious  in- 


52  INTRODUCTION. 

habitants.  After  having  used  all  the  exertions 
in  his  power  in  their  favor,  he  deemed  that 
the  time  had  now  arrived  for  his  return  to 
America,  and  to  the  participation  of  the  peni- 
tential life  he  had  embraced.  Persons,  how- 
ever, of  great  influence,  and  whose  opinion  was 
of  great  weight  in  his  eyes,  on  account  of  the 
interest  they  took  in  his  community,  advised 
him  to  endeavor  to  complete  on  his  present  ex- 
cursion what  he  would  be  obliged  to  do  at  a 
later  period,  with  the  additional  trouble  of  re- 
crossing  the  Atlantic,  were  he  to  return  im- 
mediately to  America,  and  leave  it  undone. 
Gethsemani  was  up  to  this  time  only  a  priorj^, 
or  a  house  dependent  upon  the  one  to  which  it 
owed  its  foundation.  It  had,  however,  the 
right  of  being  raised  to  the  higher  degree  of 
abbey,  or  independent  liouse,  in  consequence 
of  its  importance,  and  the  number  of  its  mem- 
bers. This  erection  could  be  made  only  by 
the  court  of  Rome.  Letters  of  recommendation 
were  accordingly  given  to  him  for  that  court, 
in  order  to  fjicilitate  his  undertaking.  After 
a  prosperous  voyage  of  a  few  days,  on  board  a 
French  national  ship,  that  he  accidentally 
found  in  the  harbor  of  Toulon,  and  by  the 
officers  of  which  he  was  treated  with  all  due 
respect,  behold  him  at  last  in  the  Eternal 
City,  the  Capital  of  the  Christian  world.    Here 


INTRODUCTION.  53 

he  found  every  one  to  whom  he  applied,  eager 
and  ready  to  aid  him  in  procuring  the  favor 
he  sought.  He  obtained  an  audience  of  the 
Holy  Father,  who  was  pleased  to  manifest 
great  interest  in  the  foundation  of  a  house  of 
La  Trappe  in  America,  and  who  did  not  fail 
to  express  his  satisfaction,  that  this  foundation 
had  been  made  in  the  diocese  of  Mgr.  Flaget, 
whose  zeal  for  all  that  concerns  religion,  and 
whose  personal  virtues  were  well  known  to 
him.  His  Holiness  granted  him  all  he  required, 
and  promised  to  expedite  a  bull  for  raising 
Gethsemani  from  the  degree  of  priory  to  that 
of  abbey.  In  testimony  of  his  approval  of  so 
catholic  a  work,  the  Holy  Father  presented 
him  also  with  a  medal  representing  his  tri- 
umphant entry  into  Rome,  after  his  painful 
exile  at  Gaseta,  which  medal  shall  be  always 
preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  abbey  of  Geth- 
semani, as  one  of  its  most  precious  marks  of 
distinction.  After  an  audience  of  nearly  half- 
an-hour,  the  Holy  Father  dismissed  him,  re- 
commending himself  and  the  universal  church 
to  the  prayers  of  his  community,  and  granting 
some  special  and  peculiar  privileges  to  Father 
Eutropius  personally. 

Father  Eutropius,  after  thus  succeeding  in 
the  principal  object  that  led  him  to  Rome, 
wished  also  to  reanimate  his  faith  by  visiting 
5* 


54  INTRODUCTION. 

the  principal  monuments"  of  ancient  Chris- 
tianity scattered  through  this  city,  so  rich  in 
prodigies  of  painting  and  architecture.  Having 
satisfied  the  desires  that  his  character  of  priest 
and  religious  inspired  him  with ;  and  after 
having,  above  all,  been  re-invigorated  to  the 
love  of  God  at  the  sight  of  the  numerous  bodies 
of  the  holy  martyrs  contained  in  the  catacombs, 
he  now  prepared  for  his  return.  Quitting  the 
classic  land  of  Italy,  he  again  entered  France, 
after  a  few  days'  journey,  and  proceeded  to  the 
mother-house  of  Melleray,  where  he  was  re- 
ceived with  all  the  former  affection  of  the 
kind  and  noble-hearted  abbot,  the  Rev.  Father 
Maximus.  His  final  departure  for  America 
being  now  determined  on,  he  solicited  and  ob- 
tained from  that  pious  and  holy  religious,  six 
others,  in  addition  to  the  thirteen  already  sent, 
as  companions  for  the  voyage.  Attended  by 
this  little  supply  to  his  new  colony,  he  now 
proceeded  to  Havre  without  delay,  experiencing 
the  same  kind  attention  and  marks  of  respect 
from  the  gentlemanly  officials  of  the  railroad 
and  steamboat  companies,  that  he  had  received 
on  the  occasion  of  his  first  passing  over  the 
same  route. 

An  unexpected  delay,  caused  by  the  scarcity 
of  ships  in  the  American  trade  at  Havre,  came 
to  alloy   tlie  joy  witli  which  his  heart  was 


INTRODUCTION.  65 

filled  at  the  successful  issue  of  his  under- 
takings. He  was  detained  two  long  months, 
waiting  for  a  suitable  vessel,  in  which  to  pro- 
ceed on  his  destination.  This  forced  delay 
was  not,  however,  unattended  with  some  good ; 
Providence  made  use  of  it  to  procure  him  fresh 
succors  for  his  establishment.  He  also,  about 
this  time,  took  charge  of  two  little  children, 
that  were  abandoned  by  their  parents,  and 
were  losing  themselves  through  the  streets  of 
Havre,  and  whom  some  persons  of  that  city 
warmly  recommended  to  his  protection.  He 
brought  them  with  him  to  America,  and  they 
are  now  at  Gethsemani,  receiving  a  pious  and 
Christian  education,  which  will  be  continued 
towards  them  until  such  time  as  they  are  of 
age,  to  choose  some  profession,  either  ecclesias- 
tical or  civil.* 

Our  travellers  departed  from  Havre  under 
unfavorable  auspices,  a  storm  having  assailed 
them  at  the  entrance  of  the  channel  of  La 
Manclie,  which  became  so  violent,  and  lasted 
so  long,  as  to  oblige  them  to  take  shelter  in  a 
small  harbor  on  the  coast  of  England.  After 
waiting  there  a  few  days,  the  heavens  began 

*  It  is  there  that,  whilst  these  children  of  St.  Bernard  faith- 
fully discharge  all  their  religious  duties,  they  endeavor  to 
render  themselves  useful  to  all  the  people  of  their  neighbor- 
hood, as  well  in  spiritual  as  in  temporal  affairs. 


66  INTRODUCTION. 

to  clear  off,  and  a  favorable  wind  began  to 
blow.  They  took  advantage  of  it  to  again  put 
to  sea ;  but,  alas !  it  was  only  to  be  exposed 
to  still  greater  dangers.  The  seas  rose  moun- 
tains high,  opposing  winds  commenced  blowing, 
and  the  ship  was  in  a  short  time  at  the  mercy 
of  the  waves.  The  sails  were  torn  in  pieces, 
two  of  the  masts  were  carried  away,  and  two 
unfortunate  sailors,  who  happened  to  be  in  the 
rigging  at  the  time,  were  thrown  into  the  sea. 
At  length,  after  many  privations  and  fatigues, 
the  Rev.  Father  Eutropius  arrived  at  Gethse- 
mani,  where  he  was  anxiously  expected  by  the 
community  from  which  he  had  been  separated 
nearly  eighteen  months. 


LIFE 

OF 


FATHEE  MARIA  EPIIRAIM. 


« « ■ » > 


CHAPTER  I. 

BIRTQ — FIRST   EDUCATION,  AND    GOOD    NATURAL   DISPOSITION   OF   FATHER 

MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

Father  Maria  Ephraim,  known  in  the  "world  by 
the  name  of  Vincent- Joseph-Matthew  Ferrer,  was 
born  at  Perpignan,  on  the  13th  March,  1814.  His 
father's  name  was  Peter  Ferrer  Maurell;  and  his 
mother's  maiden-name,  Elizabeth  Delcros.  His  pa- 
rents, both  pious,  did  not  confine  themselves  to  a 
barren  esteem  for  religion ;  thej  scrupulously  ob- 
served all  its  practices.  They  blessed  the  Lord  for 
having  granted  them  this,  their  first  child,  and  they 
hastened  to  dedicate  it  to  Him  by  the  administration 
of  holy  baptism.  The  choosing  of  names  for  their 
children ;  and  more  especially  for  their  first  born,  is 
a  matter  of  no  little  importance  among  the  rich. 
The  question  was  soon  decided  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ferrer.  Their  religious  principles  inducing  them  to 
give  their  son  the  name  of  one  of  the  twelve  Apostles, 
the  twelve  names  were  written  on  as  many  different 
slips  of  paper,  and  thrown  into  a  suitable  vessel.    The 

(57) 


58  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

vessel  having  been  shaken,  the  first  name  that  drop- 
ped out  was  that  of  Matthew ;  the  child  was  there- 
fore called  Matthew,  with  the  addition  of  two  other 
names,  Vincent  and  Joseph. 

This  happy  family,  already  rejoiced  at  having  one 
child,  was  raised  to  a  still  greater  degree  of  happi- 
ness, when,  on  the  9th  of  November,  1815,  Madame 
Ferrer  became  the  mother  of  a  young  daughter,  who 
received  at  the  baptismal  font,  the  names  of  Jose- 
phine-Maria-Elizabetli-Catharine.  She  was  born  at 
a  village  named  Espyra-Lagly,  twelve  miles  from 
Perpignan,  where  Mr.  Ferrer  possessed  a  country- 
house. 

The  Lord  reserved  for  these  young  plants  a  pre- 
cious destiny,  and  wise  and  able  hands,  from  their 
very  infancy,  were  ordained  to  give  them  a  proper 
direction.  These  hands  were  the  very  ones  that 
rocked  their  cradle.  To  sow  in  these  young  souls 
the  seeds  of  virtue,  to  cause  them  to  imbibe,  together 
with  the  milk  that  nourished  them,  an  affectionate 
piety,  was  the  most  pleasing  occupation  of  this  truly 
Christian  mother.  Some  one  has  said  long  since, 
that  "  the  heart  of  a  mother  is  a  master-piece  of 
nature."  This  heart  alone  possesses  all  the  ingeni- 
ous resources,  all  the  wonderful  artifices  of  arresting 
and  fixing  the  restless  and  fickle  imagination  of  in- 
fancy. It  is  the  mother's  duty  to  teach  her  child  the 
first  principles  of  religion.  Her  insinuating  eloquence 
will  soon  enable  him  to  surmount  the  obstacles  pre- 
sented to  him  by  inadvertency  of  youth.  Madame 
Ferrer  was  fully  convinced  of  the  importance  of  her 
maternal   duties,   and  knew  how  to   perform  them. 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM.  59 

She  had  often,  on  her  lips,  the  sacred  names  of 
Jesus  and  Mary,  in  order  to  early  accustom  those 
innocent  creatures  to  love  the  Divine  Son  and  Hia 
divine  Mother. 

This  vigilant  instructress,  being  well  aware  that 
children,  although  often  incapable  of  profiting  by  the 
lessons  given  them,  are,  however,  often  led  on  to  evil 
by  the  force  of  bad  example,  made  it  her  constant 
study,  that  nothing  but  what  is  virtuous  and  good, 
should  meet  the  eyes  of  her  children.  On  this  ac- 
count, she  diligently  watched  the  conduct  of  her 
domestics,  and  admitted  none  to  her  house,  but  such 
as  were  capable  of  edifying  by  their  regularity,  and 
by  the  constant  practice  of  their  religious  duties.  She 
took  special  care,  that  they  should  not  be  remiss  in 
frequenting  the  Sacraments,  in  their  prayers,  and  in 
performing  the  duties  imposed  upon  them  by  the 
customs  of  their  parish.  Above  all,  she  took  care, 
that  they  should  be  very  reserved  in  their  language : 
on  this  subject  she  was  accustomed  to  say,  with  much 
reason,  that  "  everything  in  a  house  should  contri- 
bute to  form  the  character  of  the  young  intellectual 
beings  who  inhabit  it."  Precautions  so  wise  could 
not  fail  to  produce  the  most  happy  results ;  conse- 
quently, our  Vincent  and  Catharine  exhibited  evident 
marks  of  piety  at  an  age  in  which  reason  is  scarcely 
developed  in  other  children. 

The  Ferrer  family  passed  the  greater  part  of  their 
time  in  the  country,  and  Madame  Ferrer,  being  much 
taken  up  with  her  domestic  affairs,  and  consequently 
unable  to  bestow  upon  her  children  those  various 
cares  they   demanded,  according  as   they  grew  up, 


60  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

Vincent,  on  this  account,  at  the  age  of  three  years, 
was  confided  to  the  care  of  a  venerable  priest,  whom 
they  were  accustomed  to  call  "  the  Canon,'"  and 
whose  name  was  Joseph  Andrew.  The  revolution 
having  forced  him  to  emigrate,  upon  his  return  in 
1802,  he  was  received  into  the  family  of  Mr.  Ferrer, 
whose  education  he  had  formerly  directed.  This 
good  priest,  who  knew  how  to  imbue  the  father  with 
good  principles,  was,  in  every  way,  capable  of  in- 
spiring his  children  with  the  like  principles.  He  was, 
above  all  other  things,  endowed  with  tender  and 
affectionate  piety.  He,  therefore,  like  a  wise  guardian, 
commenced  by  forming  the  hearts  of  his  young 
pupils — (for  Catharine  was  also  confided  to  his  in- 
structions)— to  the  love  of  whatever  is  good,  and  to 
the  practice  of  every  virtue. 

To  the  fortunate  condition  in  which  they  were 
placed  by  Providence,  these  two  children  added  the 
strength  of  fine  natural  talents.  They  profited  by 
all  the  lessons  they  received,  and  very  soon  became 
the  delight  and  admiration  of  all  who  approached 
them.  The  Ferrer  family  was  remarkable  for  works 
of  charity,  and  gave  abundant  alms  to  the  poor  of  the 
surrounding  neighborhood.  Charity  then  became  as 
if  hereditary  in  this  family.  At  an  early  age,  the 
brother  and  sister  manifested  a  decided  inclination  to 
assist  the  unfortunate ;  it  was  always  either  Vincent, 
or  his  little  sister,  that  wished  to  have  the  office  of 
distributing  alms  to  the  indigent.  Their  doors  were 
continually  beset  by  the  poor,  and  they  could  not 
bear  that  one  should  depart,  without  receiving  some 
assistance.     If  sometimes  their  mother — a  thing  of 


LIFE   OF  FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM.  (jl 

rare  occurrence — wislied  to  send  any  away,  without 
the  customary  ahns,  the  brother  and  sister  pleaded 
for  them ;  and  always  so  effectually,  as  to  obtain  for 
the  young  Vincent  the  title  of  ^^ Advocate  of  the 
Poor." 

His  good  heart  and  his  friendly  disposition  caused 
that  his  company  was  eagerly  sought  for  by  all  the 
children  of  the  village.  He  showed  himself  their 
friend,  and  was  in  turn  beloved  by  them.  As  he  was 
not  permitted  to  leave  home,  unattended  by  tis  tutor; 
in  order  to  enjoy  the  society  of  his  young  friends,  he 
was  allowed  to  introduce  some  of  them  into  his  own 
apartment,  once  or  twice  a  week.  There  he  acted 
with  them  the  part  of  catechist  and  preacher.  His 
father,  hearing  of  these  innocent  amusements,  caused 
a  small  altar  to  be  erected  in  his  chamber.  At  this 
altar,  Vincent  was  in  the  habit  of  reciting  prayers 
with  his  young  visitors,  and  of  preaching  to  them,  as 
well  as  he  was  able.  The  exercises  finished,  he  pro- 
cured them  some  refreshment,  after  which,  taking 
leave  of  them,  he  went  with  his  sister  to  study  his 
lesson. 

The  virtuous  priest  charged  with  the  education  of 
the  two  children,  seeing  them  correspond  so  well  to 
his  efforts,  conceived  a  great  attachment  for  them. 
What  at  first  was  a  duty  on  his  part,  became,  in  a 
short  time,  a  matter  of  zeal  and  heartfelt  affection. 
He  was  delighted  to  see  them  growing  in  age  and 
wisdom.  Among  the  many  good  qualities,  for  which 
they  were  distinguished  by  all  who  knew  them,  none 
was  more  remarkable  than  the  tender  affection  they 
had  for  each  other — an  affection,  which  no  accident 
6 


62  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

could  ever  interrupt.  It  is  a  very  common  defect 
of  the  young,  to  wish  to  excuse  their  faults,  and  even, 
sometimes,  to  wish  to  have  them  imputed  to  their 
companions.  Of  this  defect,  our  virtuous  children 
were  wholly  exempt.  One  day,  the  Abbe  Andrew, 
finding  his  papers  in  disorder,  and  suspecting  the 
little  Vincent  as  the  cause,  reproved  him  for  it.  His 
sister,  however,  soon  made  her  appearance,  crying 
out,  "  Pardon,  Rev.  Father  ;  do  not  accuse  my  bro- 
ther; I  am  the  guilty  one."  This  anecdote,  taken  at 
random  hazard  from  a  thousand  others  of  a  like 
stamp,  fully  paints  to  us  the  condition  of  these  young 
souls  ;  never  was  there  seen  between  them  the  least 
spice  of  jealousy. 

In  this  way  the  first  foundation  for  the  sanctifica- 
tion  of  Vincent  and  Catharine  was  firmly  laid.  To 
the  virtuous  inclinations  which  we  have  been  remark- 
ing, may  be  added  the  natural  quickness  of  under- 
standing, which  enabled  them  to  enrich  their  minds 
with  varied  knowledge.  They  had  a  taste  for  study, 
great  facility  of  apprehension,  and  that  keenness  of 
penetration,  which  enabled  them  to  easily  surmount 
the  numerous  difficulties,  which,  at  the  commencement 
of  their  education,  so  frequently  obstruct  the  advance- 
ment of  young  minds  in  the  path  of  knowledge. 


CHAPTER  II. 

VINCENT  IS    SENT   TO   THE   JESUITS'  COLLEGE    AT   AIX.      HE  EXPERIENCES 
THERE    SOME   DIFFICULTIES.      HE   MAKES    HIS    FIRST   COMMUNION. 

We  are  now  come  to  a  critical  moment  in  the  life 
of  Father  IMaria  Ephraim, — a  moment,  at  which  many 
families  are  disturbed  for  the  first  time,  and  in  which 
many  parents  experience  the  first  shock  given  to  their 
affectionate  love  for  their  offspring.  The  Ferrer  family 
had  experienced  hitherto  a  domestic  happiness,  which 
nothing  that  occurred,  had  the  power  of  interrupting; 
the  younger  portion  of  it  gave  nothing  but  comfort 
and  consolation,  and  held  out  hopes  of  still  greater, 
hereafter.  The  little  Vincent  was  now  ten  years  old, 
and,  although  his  education  was  not  neglected  under 
the  paternal  roof,  his  mind,  nevertheless,  stood  in  need 
of  more  substantial  food.  He  was  destined  to  the 
enjoyment  of  an  ample  patrimony;  he  had  a  natural 
aptitude  for  the  acquisition  of  the  sciences ;  every  cir- 
cumstance, in  fine,  connected  with  him,  loudly  called 
for  an  education  which  should  enable  him  to  make 
good  the  expectations  formed  about  him  by  his  ac- 
quaintances, and  by  society  at  large. 

His  parents,  good  and  sensible  as  they  were,  saw 
the  necessity  of  a  separation  for  the  future  good  of 
their  child ;  but  then,  how  can  they  break  ties  so 
pleasing ;  how  deprive  themselves  of  a  son,  the  delight 
and  comfort  of  their  whole  family  ?  Such  difficulties 
are  often  experienced  by  many  fathers ;   and   more 

(63) 


64  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

especially  by  many  mothers ;  and  not  unfrequently, 
a  badly-regulated  love,  a  badly-understood  affection 
for  their  children,  causes  them  to  commit  irreparable 
errors.  Mons.  and  Made.  Ferrer  had  sufficient  force 
of  character  to  avoid  such  errors  :  the  interest  of 
their  son  demanded  a  sacrifice,  and  though  their 
hearts  refused  it,  they  yet  had  sufficient  strength  of 
mind  to  give  it,  but  with  all  due  discernment.  Above 
all  things,  they  wished  to  give  their  children  a  solid 
education — an  education  based  upon  sound  religious 
principles ;  consequently  they  had  the  good  sense  to 
confide  their  son  to  the  vigilant  direction  of  the  Rev. 
Jesuit  Fathers.  These  learned  instructors  of  youth 
were  justly  celebrated  for  their  talent  and  method  of 
inculcating  in  the  heart  and  mind  of  their  pupils  those 
elements  of  virtue  and  knowledge,  which  gave  them 
distinction  in  every  situation  of  life.  It  was  therefore 
resolved  that  the  young  Vincent  should  be  placed  at 
the  college,  which  those  Fathers  held  at  Aix  in 
Province.  Mons.  Ferrer  himself  conducted  his  son 
thither ;  it  was  in  the  month  of  November,  1825. 
The  separation  was  a  sad  one  on  both  sides ;  on  the 
part  of  his  mother  and  sister,  and  on  the  part  of 
Vincent,  himself.  It  caused  an  abundance  of  tears 
to  be  shed,  but  the  distractions  of  the  journey  soon 
dried  those  of  Vincent.  It  was  his  first  absence  from 
the  protecting  arms  of  his  mother,  his  first  trial  of 
travel,  and  his  father  left  no  means  untried,  in  order 
to  render  it  interesting  to  him. 

His  first  care,  after  arriving  at  Aix,  was  to  write  to 
his  mother.  We  will  cite  the  very  words  of  this  letter, 
in  order  that  the  reader  may  more  easily  judge  of  the 


LIFE   OP    FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  05 

qualifications  of  this  extraordinary  cliild :  we  will  do 
the  same  every  time  that  his  letters  may  be  found 
interesting.  The  progress  already  made  by  the  young 
student  must  be  deemed  truly  remarkable,  and  it  will 
thereby  be  seen  that  we  have  not  exaggerated,  when 
we  spoke  so  favorably  of  his  natural  talents. 

Aix,  November  29th,  1825. 

My  very  dear  and  beloved  Mamma  : 

We  have,  very  fortunately,  and  without  the 
slightest  accident,  finished  our  journey;  the  motion 
of  the  carriage  caused  me  some  sickness  at  first,  but 
it  soon  passed  away.  I  will  now  tell  you  of  some  of 
the  remarkable  things  we  have  seen.  At  Narbonne, 
we  saw  the  canal,  on  which  were  a  great  many  boats ; 
at  Montpellier,  we  saw  the  Peyrou,  (one  of  the  curi- 
osities of  Montpellier,)  together  with  a  long  alley, 
having  a  fountain  at  its  upper  end.  At  Nismes,  we 
saw  the  Arenes  (the  place  erected  by  the  Romans  for 
games,  fighting,  and  wrestling),  and  the  Maison- 
Carree  (the  square  house),  the  temple  of  Diana,  the 
Great  Tower,  a  very  large  fountain,  some  Mosaic 
pavements,  the  statue  of  Apollo,  the  baths  of  Augus- 
tus, the  palace  of  the  Princess  Photina,  the  tomb  of 
Marcus  Attius,  &c.,  &c.  At  Aix,  in  the  Place  called 
"Le  Cours,"  there  are  two  fountains,  one  of  which 
contains  hot  water,  and  the  other,  cold.  In  front  of 
the  cathedral  there  is  a  huge  pillar,  supported  by  four 
lions,  and  from  which  water  issues.  When  entering 
the  college,  these  Fathers  were  so  kind  as  to  come  to 
embrace  me,  the  moment  they  saw  me.  Do  not 
grieve  for  me,  my  dear  mamma ;  but  remember  to 

6* 


Q6  LIFE   OF   FATUER    MAEIA   EPHRAIM. 

come  and  see  me,  next  year,  accompanied  by  papa, 
and  my  sister.  I  shall  apply  myself  diligently  to  my 
studies,  because,  by  that  means,  I  shall  the  sooner 
complete  them  and  return  to  you.  I  am  not  grieved 
for  remaining  here — but  to  remain  here  one  whole 
year  without  seeing  you ;  that,  my  dear  mamma,  tears 
my  heart.  Don't  grieve  for  me,  my  dear  mamma ;  for 
I  am  doing  very  well  here.  I  will  apply  myself  dili- 
gently, in  order  to  give  you  pleasure.  .  .  My  dearest 
mamma,  I  pray  you  to  give  my  compliments  to  all  the 
family ;  not  forgetting  the  Rev.  Father,  the  Canon, 
nor  any  of  my  acquaintances  at  Espyra. 

Mens.  Ferrer  departed  from  Aix,  taking  with  him 
the  foregoing  letter  to  his  wife,  and  with  a  heart  sad 
at  parting  from  his  son.  Whilst  in  company  with  his 
father,  all  went  on  well  with  Vincent ;  but  when  he 
found  himself  alone  among  strangers,  then  came  his 
trouble.  His  father,  his  dear  mother,  his  beloved 
Bister,  his  young  friends  at  Espyra,  all  the  amuse- 
ments to  which,  in  company  with  them,  he  was  accus- 
tomed to  give  himself  up,  even  the  little  chapel  in  his 
chamber  at  home ;  all  these  objects  came  separately, 
or  altogether  before  his  mind's  eye,  and  almost  rent  in 
twain  his  poor  little  heart.  He  could  not  restrain  his 
tears.  His  good  teachers  were  by  no  means  astonished 
at  his  grief;  they  knew  that  it  was  a  tribute  which 
new-comers  seldom  failed  to  pay  upon  their  arrival ; 
they  did  their  best,  however,  to  procure  distractions, 
and  some  friends  for  the  young  Ferrer ;  thereby  miti- 
gating his  gi-ief  for  the  moment,  but  by  no  means 
curing  it.  He  suffered  pangs  of  dreadful  anguish 
from  this,  his  cruel  enemy.     One  day,  he  could  resist 


LIFE    OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM.  67 

its  influence  no  longer  ;  he  privately  ran  aAvay  from 
the  college,  with  the  design  of  returning  to  Perpignan. 
Uut  how  was  he  to  accomplish  it  ?  Ilis  purse  was  in 
the  hands  of  the  college  Economist,  and  he  had  but  a 
few  cents  in  his  pocket.     In  this  embarrassment,  he 

took  refuge  with  a  certain  Madame  D ,  who  was 

then  accidentally  at  Aix,  imparted  to  her  his  troubles, 
and  the  desire  he  had  to  return  to  his  parents.  No' 
great  resources  could  be  offered  to  him  ;  he  soon  per- 
ceived it,  and  consequently  returned  to  his  college. 

His  pining  after  home  was  not,  however,  assuaged ; 
his  grief  returned  in  a  short  time.  As  some  sort  of 
remedy,  he  addressed  a  long  letter  to  his  mother, 
thinking  that  his  lamentations  would  have  a  greater 
ascendency  over  her  heart,  than  over  that  of  his 
father ;  and  knowing  by  experience,  that  mothers,  in 
general,  have  more  tenderness,  or  rather,  more  weak- 
ness for  the  tears  of  their  children,  than  fathers.  We 
will  cite  a  few  fragments  of  this  letter ;  and  we  do  it 
the  more  willingly,  as  it  places  in  a  clear  point  of 
view  the  wdiole  soul  of  the  poor  child  : 

"  My  very  dear  Mamma, 

I  hasten  to  write  to  you,  in  order  to  describe  the 
great  pain  and  trouble  I  am  suffering.  I  am  weeping 
every  day,  ....  at  study,  in  recreation,  at  class, 
everywhere  I  am  crying ;  but  at  High  Mass  I  weep 
more  than  ever,  for  the  singing  is  the  same  as  at 
Espyra.  I  am  always  thinking  that  my  sister  is 
happy  in  being  at  your  side ;  I  envy  her,  and  do 
nothing  but  weep,  whilst  reading  the  letter  of  papa, 
for  I  have  nothing  to  console  me  here.     Come,  then, 


6S  LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

and  take  me  home ;  dearest  Mamma,  come ;  until  you 
come,  I  will  not  cease  weeping.  Yesterday,  in  our 
walk,  I  ascended  alone  a  hill,  which  I  happened  to 
come  across ;  thence  I  saw  a  mountain  which  I 
imagined  to  be  the  Canigou.*  I  soon  began  to  pray 
to  the  good  God,  and  to  weep.  I  was  on  the  point 
of  fleeing  towards  that  mountain,  but  the  fear  of  dis- 
obeying my  parents  arrested  my  footsteps.  I  said 
to  myself,  '  I  am  determined  to  obey  my  parents, 
even  until  death.'  Thus,  dear  mamma,  you  see  in 
what  a  state  I  am ;  you  must  either  come,  yourself, 
or  send  some  one  to  take  me  home,  for  I  can't  remain 
a  year  without  seeing  you." 

Suddenly  forgetting  for  a  moment  his  chagrin,  he 
goes  on  to  give  a  description  of  a  little  feast  given  to 
the  students. 

"  On  Thursday,  we  celebrated  the  feast  of  the 
Conception.  An  altar  was  erected  in  the  middle  of 
the  study-room ;  a  pedestal  bearing  the  statue  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  was  then  placed  upon  it.  All  the 
students,  then,  kneeling,  kissed  the  Blessed  Image. 
Afterwards,  we  had  breakfast  and  dinner,  all  in  the 
same  hall,  the  number  being  more  than  six  hundred. 
We  had  chickens  and  other  delicacies,  and,  as  we 
were  permitted  to  speak,  we  made  a  frightful  noise. 
Wine  was  afterwards  served  around,  and  we  drank 
the  health  of  the  Blessed  Virgin." 

After  this  episode,  he  was  not  long  in  returning  to 
his  former  repinings.  He  thus  continues  his  letter : 
"My  very  dear   mamma,   if  you    knew   in  what   a 

*  Tho  Canigou  is  one  of  the  highest  peaks  of  the  Pyrenees ;  it  is 
seen  from  Pcrpiguan,  as  if  it  were  at  a  very  short  distance. 


LIFE   OF   FATIlEll    MARIA    EPIIIIAIM.  G9 

deplorable  condition  I  am,  you  would  set  out  imme- 
diately. Tell  my  sister,  tliat  it  is  a  miserable  thing 
to  be  separated  from  those  we  love ;  it  is  sufficient  to 
deprive  one  of  life.  Therefore,  my  dear  mamma, 
come  and  give  me  some  consolation,  for  I  stand  in  the 
greatest  need  of  it.  If  you  don't  come,  I  shall  either 
become  a  maniac  or  I  shall  die." 

In  this  manner — (we  have  given  his  own  words) — 
Vincent  expressed  what  he  felt,  on  account  of  his 
absence  from  his  family.  His  affliction,  so  well  ex- 
pressed, was  duly  appreciated  and  vividly  felt  by  his 
mother  and  the  rest  of  the  family ;  but,  in  the  same 
way  that  she  showed  her  good  sense  in  consenting  to 
the  departure  of  this  amiable  child,  when  she  saw  the 
absolute  necessity  of  it,  she  now  also  restrained  her 
feelings,  and  did  not  become  greatly  alarmed  at  his 
condition,  however  painful,  well  knowing  it  to  be  the 
ordinary  state  of  all  affectionate  and  sensitive  hearts 
upon  departing  from  those  they  love.  Accordingly 
no  notice  was  taken  of  the  letter;  time,  it  was 
believed,  would  remedy  the  evil  complained  of. 
Our  little  friend,  however,  built  strong  hopes  upon 
this  letter ;  he  depicted  his  troubles  so  eloquently,  as 
he  thought.  lie  knew,  besides,  the  goodness  of  his 
parents ;  and  more  especially,  the  tender  com- 
plaisance of  his  excellent  mother.  He  counted  the 
number  of  days  necessary  for  his  letter  to  arrive  at 
its  destination ;  not  to  be  deceived,  he  even  allowed 
more  days  than  were  necessary ;  but,  alas !  the  days 
passed  and  no  answer  came.  All  this  time  he  lived 
upon  hope ;  this  calmed  his  mind,  in  some  respects, 
and  gave  him  courage  to  tolerably  perform  his  colic- 


70  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

giate  duties.  He  even  succeeded  in  his  compositions; 
his  natural  strength  of  mind  by  degrees  and  insensibly 
gaining  the  ascendency.  "Writing  again  to  his  parents, 
after  the  customary  preamble  of  wishing  to  see  them, 
and  of  his  desire  to  go  home,  he  informed  them  of 
his  literary  success.  He  remarked  to  his  father, 
"  that  he  had  obtained  the  fourteenth,  and  afterwards, 
the  sixteenth  place,  in  a  class  of  eighty  of  his  fellow- 
students  ;  that,  at  a  public  disputation,  he  had  gained 
the  victory  over  his  opponent;"  he  informed  him, 
"  that  he  was  on  the  side  of  the  Romans ;  that  they 
had  conquered  the  Greeks,  their  adversaries ;  that 
the  flag  of  victory  was  permanently  fixed  in  their 
camp ;  and  finally,  that  his  Professor  gave  it  as  his 
opinion,  that  he  would  obtain  the  premium  at  the  end 
of  the  year."  This  letter  gave  great  pleasure  to  the 
Ferrer  family ;  they  saw  that  their  child  would  soon 
take  his  proper  place,  that  he  would  become  habit- 
uated to  Aix,  and,  consequently,  that  he  could  not 
fail  in  accomplishing  the  purpose,  for  which  he  had 
been  sent.  In  order  to  console  and  encourage  him, 
his  father  wrote,  and  his  sister  added  some  lines 
from  herself.  This,  however,  did  not  satisfy  our 
young  scholar ;  he  expected  quite  a  different  thing, 
and  could  not  restrain  his  tears.  The  language  of  his 
father  seemed  to  him,  however,  to  import,  that  if  he 
applied  himself  well,  and  deserved  good  testimonials 
from  his  teachers,  his  desires  would  be  finally  grati- 
fied. This  last  consideration  excited  his  emulation. 
He  was  persuaded,  that  if  he  performed  his  duties 
regularly  and  faithfully,  and  obtained  good  notes 
from  his  teachers  and  other  superiors,  his  parents 


LIFE    OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM.  71 

would  be  highly  gratified,  and  accede  to  all  his 
"wishes. 

He  now  took  a  resolution,  and  from  that  moment 
remained  constant  to  it.  He  began  to  labor  in  earn- 
est, his  conduct  became  regular,  his  application,  in- 
cessant. He  shed  no  more  tears ;  he  had  not  even 
time  to  think  of  his  former  causes  of  unensiness,  so 
much  was  he  occupied  with  his  duties.  His  efforts 
deserved  success ;  he  was  praised  by  his  teachers ; 
and  a  taste  for  study  growing  on  him  every  day,  he, 
in  the  end,  became  an  excellent  student.  The 
Superiors  of  the  college  did  not  fail  to  write  to  Mens. 
Ferrer,  in  order  to  acquaint  him  with  this  remark- 
able change  in  his  son.  They  remarked  to  him,  that 
the  dear  child  could  not  be  more  diligent;  that  his 
moral  conduct  was  in  unison  with  his  application, 
both  with  respect  to  regularity  and  docility,  as  well 
as  to  piety;  finally,  that, his  present  manner  of  act- 
ing had  caused  the  first  days  of  his  college  •  life  to  be 
entirely  forgotten.  They  added  also  a  piece  of  ad- 
vice, which  many  fathers,  and  more  especially,  many 
mothers  would  do  well  to  profit  by,  namely:  "that  in 
his  correspondence  with  his  son,  Mons.  Ferrer  would  do 
well  to  avoid,  as  much  as  possible,  speaking  to  the 
heart ;  that  his  letters  were  so  afi'ectionate,  as  to 
cause  a  renewal  of  all  his  son's  chagrin," 

Behold  then  our  dear  young  student  re-entered  into 
his  natural  sphere,  from  which  the  separation  from 
his  relations,  for  whom  he  had  so  strong  an  aff'ection, 
had  for  a  time  withdrawn  him.  Returned  to  his  first 
sentiments,  he  knew  how  to  maintain  his  standing 
among  his  fellow-scholars,  and  made  farther  progress 


72  LIFE   OF    FATHER  MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

every  day.  Having  been  well  brought  up  at  homo, 
it  cost  him  but  little  to  continue  his  habits  of  obedi- 
ence and  docility,  under  the  estimable  masters  to 
Avhom  he  was  confided.  Although  still  very  young, 
he  deserved  to  be  chosen  to  make  his  first  Communion : 
this  circumstance  filled  him  with  consolation,  and  he 
redoubled  his  fervor.  His  heart,  so  ardent  and  so 
tender,  sighed  to  arrive  at  the  day,  the  most  import- 
ant and  most  happy  of  a  Christian's  life.  His  reli- 
gious knowledge,  greater  than  may  be  expected  from 
one  of  his  years,  made  him  understand  all  the  import- 
ance of  an  action  that  has  so  much  influence  over 
the  future  man,  and  he  did  all  in  his  power  to  render 
himself  worthy  of  the  visit  of  Him,  who  gives  Him- 
self without  reserve  to  his  creatures.  It  was  the  day 
of  Pentecost,  that  he  was  admitted  to  the  sacred 
Banquet,  for  the  first  time ;  from  that  fortunate  mo- 
ment, divesting  himself  of  everything  appertaining 
to  childhood,  he  marched  with  gigantic  strides  on  the 
road  to  virtue.  The  sacrament  of  Confirmation, 
which  he  received  shortly  after,  raised  him  to  the 
acme  of  all  his  wishes,  and  added  still  more  to  'his 
-kappiacss  and  spiritual  bliss. 


CHAPTER   III. 

Vincent's   peogress  in  his   studies,     he  becomes  firm  in  piety. 

HE    leaves    the    college    OF   THE   R.    R.    JESUITS. 

In  the  admirable  maxims,  bj  which  Jeremiah 
almost  always  terminates  his  doleful  lamentations, 
that  Prophet  assures  us,  that  the  youth  follows,  even 
to  the  tomb,  the  route  marked  out,  whilst  appearing 
at  the  banquet  of  life.  This  sentence  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  the  truth  of  which  is  proved  by  experience 
every  day,  received  a  new  confirmation  in  the  person 
of  Vincent.  Behold  him  now  freed  from  the  weak- 
ness of  childhood,  nourished  from  time  to  time  with 
the  Bread  of  Life  !  He  soon  became  a  model  of  piety, 
and  of  every  virtue.  His  fellow-students,  as  well  as 
his  teachers,  could  not  help  remarking  his  progress  in 
holiness,  becoming  now  more  apparent  every  day. 

The  pious  means  employed  by  the  Jesuit  Fathers, 
to  inspire  their  pupils  with  a  holy  emulation,  are  well 
known ;  and  more  especially,  the  benefits  accruing 
from  those  congregations  so  happily  established,  and 
so  ably  directed,  cannot  fail  to  be  appreciated  by  all 
who  have  the  care  of  youth.  Those  alone,  who  render 
themselves  worthy  by  application  and  good  conduct, 
are  enrolled  in  those  pious  legions.  Vincent  deserved 
to  be  admitted,  shortly  after  his  first  Communion,  first 
into  the  congregation  of  St.  Louis  Gonzaga;  and  a 
little  later,  into  that  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

Having  become  a  member  of  those  pious  associa- 
•    7,  (73) 


74  LIFE  OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

tions,  he  deemed  himself  obliged  to  a  more  exemplary 
and  more  perfect  life.  He  had  before  his  eyes,  in  Mie 
persons  of  many  of  his  companions,  some  fine  models 
of  piety ;  a  holy  ardor  took  possession  of  his  soul ;  he 
made  constant  efforts  to  surpass,  or  at  least,  to  be  on 
a  par  with  them,  in  all  things  tending  to  edification 
and  good  conduct.  He  assisted  at  the  exercises  of 
piety — at  the  holy  sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  especially — 
with  seraphic  devotion,  and  was  always  among  the 
first  at  the  meetings  of  the  congregation.  In  his  in- 
tercourse with  his  fellow-students,  he  manifested  de- 
ference towards  those  who  were  his  elders,  and  an 
amiable  and  easy  cordiality  towards  his  equals  in  age. 
His  affability,  his  modesty,  his  discretion ;  in  one 
word,  his  whole  manner  of  acting,  rendered  him  the 
delight  and  admiration  of  all  the  members  of  the  con- 
gregation, who  could  not  help  presenting  him  to  their 
imagination,  as  an  angel,  in  the  guise  of  a  child.  The 
following  fact  may  serve  to  depict  the  goodness  of  his 
heart.  Lively  and  active,  he  had  a  decided  taste  for 
gymnastic  exercises.  One  day  that  he  was  perform- 
ing some  feat  of  agility  on  an  engine  erected  for  that 
purpose,  he  perceived  the  man,  to  whom  was  com- 
mitted the  task  of  pulling  and  drawing  the  ropes  of 
the  machine,  laboring  with  fatigue,  and  covered  with 
perspiration.  He  immediately  discontinued  his  ex- 
ercise, and  throwing  his  arms  around  the  neck  of  the 
man,  he  wiped  off  the  sweat  with  his  handkerchief, 
exclaiming,  "My  poor  Aime"  (that  was  his  name) 
— "  I  am  very  wicked  to  give  you  so  much  trouble, 
and  cause  you  so  much  fatigue,  in  order  that  I  may 


LIFE   OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  75 

talce  my  pleasure,"  and  from  that   moment,  he   re- 
nounced this  kind  of  amusement. 

He  had  for  his  masters  a  respect  mixed  with  tender- 
ness ;  they,  on  their  part,  loved  him  with  an  affection, 
which  his  excellent  qualities  justified.  Many  dis- 
tinctions, and  honorable  oflSces,  which  those  prudent 
instructors  know  how  to  distribute,  in  a  suitable  man- 
ner, in  order  to  reward  merit,  and  encourage  virtue, 
were  conferred  upon  him.  At  one  time,  he  was  chosen 
questor  of  the  congregation,  and,  in  that  capacity,  had 
the  charge  of  distributing  alms  to  the  poor.  At 
another  time,  an  English  frigate,  of  which  people 
spoke  a  great  deal,  having  come  to  anchor  in  the 
harbor  of  Marseilles,  the  Jesuit  Fathers  sent  the 
elect  of  their  community  to  see  it.  Our  young  Ferrer 
was  of  the  number;  the  party  remained  at  Marseilles 
two  days. 

Among  the  devotions  of  our  pious  young  scholar, 
there  was  one  for  which  he  had  particular  predi- 
lection ;  this  was  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin.  It 
is  true,  that  his  fervent  instructors  did  all  in  their 
power  to  plant  such  devotion  in  the  hearts  of  their 
pupils;  but  Vincent  needed  not  to  be  stimulated.  It 
was  a  custom  at  the  college  of  Aix  for  every  pupil,  on 
each  Saturday  of  the  year,  to  write  a  letter  to  this 
glorious  Queen  of  Angels  and  Protectress  of  youth. 
Those  letters  were  deposited  upon  an  altar,  dedicated 
to  the  Holy  Virgin,  and  suffered  to  remain  there 
during  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass.  The  young 
Vincent  saw  Saturday  arrive,  with  joy ;  he  used  to  say, 
that  "  he  was  going  to  write  to  his  good  Mamma ;  to 
recommend  to  her  protection  his  mamma  at  Perpignan, 


76  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

and  his  other  relations."  His  address  was  always  the 
outpourings  of  a  burning,  devout  heart. 

At  one  time,  it  was  agreed  upon,  that  a  large  heart  of 
silver,  covered  over  with  gold  leaf,  should  be  moulded, 
in  honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin ;  this  heart  to  be 
sufficiently  large,  so  as  to  contain  in  the  interior  the 
names  of  all  the  pupils  that  would  contribute  to  pur- 
chase it.  The  subscriber  was  permitted  to  take  the 
amount  of  his  subscription  from  his  pocket  money, 
only.  Our  Vincent  was  one  of  the  most  active  in  this 
pious  work.  "When  the  heart  was  finished,  each  pupil 
wrote  his  name  upon  a  card ;  the  cards  were  then 
enclosed  in  the  heart,  which  was  itself,  afterwards, 
together  with  the  precious  deposits  it  contained, 
dedicated  to  Our  Lady  of  a  celebrated  place  shrine  of 
devotion  in  the  neighborhood.  A  deputation  of  those 
most  fervently  devoted  to  Mary  was  chosen  to  be  the 
bearers  of  this  oifering  ;  the  young  Ferrer  was  among 
the  first  nominated.  He  had  also  a  fervent  devotion 
towards  St.  Vincent  de  Paul,  whom  he  considered  as 
his  patron-saint.  On  the  day  of  his  festival,  he  was 
more  urgent  in  his  devotions  to  this  saint  than  usual. 
A  few  days  afterwards,  the  first  Greek  conposition 
was  written  by  the  class,  to  which  he  belonged. 
Among  many  competitors,  he  obtained  the  honor  of 
being;  deemed  the  best  in  his  class.  This  success  he 
wholly  attributed  to  the  intercession  of  his  holy  Pro- 
tector ;  and  in  that  very  way  accounted  for  it  in  a 
letter  to  his  father. 

The  young  Vincent  thus  advanced  rapidly  in  the 
way  of  perfection.  His  conduct,  it  is  true,  was  not 
altogether   blameless  at  the    commencement,   of  his 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  77 

college  life,  but  his  heart  had  remained  always  pure. 
We  have  seen,  how  he  effaced  the  memory  of  his 
former  faults ;  his  letters  to  his  family  were  now  also 
quite  in  a  different  tone.  No  longer  pressing  soli- 
citations for  leave  to  withdraw  from  college  ;  no  longer 
prayers  and  entreaties  to  his  mother,  that  she  might 
send  some  one  to  take  him  home ;  far  from  that,  he 
now  announced  his  desire  of  remaining  at  Aix  during 
the  vacation,  he  begged  his  parents  to  pray  for  him, 
and  attributed  to  their  pious  intervention  all  his 
success.  Some  of  them  were  little  treatises,  as  if  de- 
signed for  the  edification  of  his  correspondents, — little 
sermons,  in  fine.  Let  us  take,  as  a  sample,  the  letter 
written  to  his  sister,  upon  being  informed,  that  she 
had  made  her  first  Communion  :  "  I  cannot  describe," 
he  writes,  "  with  what  joy  I  learn,  that  you  have  made 
your  first  Communion  on  last  Thursday.  What  a 
happy  day  !  Yes,  it  may  with  justice  be  called  the 
happiest  day  of  your  life  !  I  have  prayed  for  you, 
....  Oh !  how  I  would  wish  to  see  you  on  that  day, 
in  order  to  witness  your  holy  joy !  What  happiness 
for  our  papa  and  mamma !  I  also  have  had  that 
happiness ;  and  I  assure  you,  that  I  now  would  wish 
not  to  have  made  my  first  Communion,  in  order  that 
I  might  have  such  happiness  still  in  store  for  me ;  for 
although,  at  other  communions,  we  receive  great  conso- 
lation, at  the  first,  we  experience  rapturous  delight." 
"  Now,  my  dear  sister,  that  you  have  received  a 
favor,  which  angels  cannot  obtain,  I  beg  you  will  re- 
member, in  your  prayers,  me,  a  miserable  sinner,  in 
order  that  God  may  deign  to  bless  my  studies,  and 
make  me  a  good  Christian ;  pray,  above  all,  to  the  Holy 
7* 


78  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPURAIM. 

Virgin,  who  never  abandons  any  of  her  servants. 
For  my  own  part,  I  promise  to  remember  you;  I  long 
to  see  you  again,  but  since  our  father  has  deemed  it 
expedient  to  separate  us,  we  must  submit  ourselves  to 
his  will,  for  we  ought  to  regard  him  as  filling,  with 
respect  to  us,  the  place  of  God  Himself." 

Such  were  already  the  sentiments  of  tender  piety, 
and  such  was  the  maturity  of  thought,  exhibited  by 
Vincent,  almost  still  a  child.  He  judged  of  things 
like  a  man,  who  had,  during  many  years,  exercised 
his  reasoning  powers.  At  another  time,  writing 
again  to  his  sister,  he  says,  "  There  are  some  reports 
in  circulation,  which,  if  founded  on  truth,  would  cause 
me  much  affliction.  It  is  said  that  the  Jesuits  are 
about  to  be  expelled  from  France.  What  will  become 
of  us,  if  we  be  deprived  of  those  good  fathers,  who  do 
us  so  much  good  ?  Indeed,  their  house  seems  to  be 
directed,  not  so  much  by  them,  as  by  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  Himself,  under  whose  immediate  protection  wo 
live !  If  we  be  obliged  to  enter  the  secular  colleges, 
how  can  we  be  preserved  from  the  spirit  and  vices  of 
the  world,  which,  in  such  colleges,  are,  alas !  but  too 
prevalent?"  The  good  young  man  feared  that  he 
would  experience  in  his  own  person,  (and  he  actually 
did  experience  them,  as  will  be  seen  hereafter,)  the 
sad  forebodings,  which  he  here  paints  with  so  much 
ingenuousness. 

The  rumors  which  alarmed  the  young  Ferrer,  were 
but  too  well  founded.  Soon  appeared  those  famous 
ordinances  which  deprived  France  of  an  institution  at 
once  so  venerable  and  so  useful;  and  the  youth 
of  France,  of  their  beloved  instructors.     The  Jesuits 


LIFE    OP   FATHER    MARIA   EPHRAIM.  79 

were  ordered  to  shut  up  their  schools,  and  to  find  an 
asylum  in  some  strange  country.  All  the  students  of 
the  college  of  Aix  were  thrown  into  the  greatest  con- 
sternation, upon  hearing  this  sad  news ;  they  felt  all 
the  consequences  of  it,  and  considered  themselves  as 
the  principal  victims  of  the  measure.  No  one,  how- 
ever, was  more  afflicted  than  Vincent  Ferrer,  who  had 
now  learned  to  appreciate  the  merits  of  his  masters, 
and  who  had  for  them  the  most  tender  affection. 
Little  versed  in  politics,  these  young  scholars  knew 
not  what  gave  rise  to  the  storm,  which  caused  them 
so  much  damage.  They  thought  they  could  allay  it 
by  sending  an  address  to  His  Highness,  the  Duke  of 
Bordeaux ;  Vincent  was  one  of  the  signers  of  this 
address.  Wishing  also  to  offer  to  their  good  superiors 
a  homage  of  their  zeal  and  sincere  attachment,  they 
opened  a  subscription,  from  the  proceeds  of  which  they 
erected  a  monument,  indicative  of  their  affection  and 
gratitude,  at  a  country  house  which  belonged  to  the 
Jesuits  ;  Vincent  and  his  young  friends  deeming  it  an 
honor  to  have  their  names  engraved  upon  it. 

At  the  approach  of  the  vacation,  the  president  of 
the  college  notified  all  the  scholars,  that  they  might 
write  to  their  parents,  and  request  them  to  come  and 
take  them  home,  unless,  indeed,  they  chose  rather  to 
send  their  children  to  the  frontiers  of  France,  where 
the  fathers  Avere  about  establishing  another  college, 
and  whither  many  of  the  pupils  were  resolved  to  go, 
in  order  to  continue  their  studies  under  the  same 
teachers.  Our  excellent  youth  wrote  immediately  to 
his  father,  beginning  his  letter  with  lamentations  for 
the  sad  state  of  religion  in  France,  and  the  unhappy 


80  LIFE    OF   FATHER    xMARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

lot  of  the  Christian  youth,  deprived  of  their  best 
instructors,  and  in  danger  of  a  perverse  education. 
"  Nevertheless,"  he  continued,  "  all  is  not  yet  lost ; 
there  is  still  a  remedy.  The  Jesuits  are  going  to 
establish  a  college  at  the  frontiers ;  at  Nice,  which  is 
only  thirty-five  leagues  from  this  place  (Aix),  and 
many  of  their  pupils  intend  to  follow  them.  Although 
removing  still  farther  from  you  may  cause  me  some 
pain,  yet  I  would  wish  also  to  accompany  them  to 
their  new  college.  You,  my  dear  father,  know 
better  than  I,  the  advantages  of  a  Christian  educa- 
tion ;  for  you  have  placed  me  here,  in  order  that  I 
may  obtain  such.  There  is  no  cause  for  fear.  Father 
Delvaux  will  be  our  superior  there,  as  he  has  been 
here.  If  I  had  finished  my  studies,  I  would  be  glad 
to  return  and  remain  under  your  fatherly  guidance  at 
Perpignan,  where  I  could  have  nothing  to  fear ;  but 
having  advanced  so  little  in  them,  and  feeble  in  piety, 
how  can  I  preserve  myself  from  the  influence  of  bad 
example,  if  I  be  sent  to  some  godless  college  ?  I  con- 
jure you,  therefore,  and  beg  of  you,  my  dear  father, 
to  permit  me  to  follow  my  beloved  teachers." 

The  Ferrer  family  were  moved  by  the  pure  and 
virtuous  sentiments  of  their  beloved  child,  they  par- 
ticipated in  all  his  feelings,  and  acknowledged  that 
his  wishes  were  perfectly  just.  They  had  not,  how- 
ever, sufficient  command  over  themselves  to  grant  him 
his  request ;  they  had  only  this  one  son  ;  they  thought 
him  already  at  too  great  a  distance,  when  at  Aix ; 
how  then  could  they  prevail  upon  themselves  to  send 
him  still  farther, — to  expatriate  him  ?  It  was,  it 
seemed  to  them,  a  matter  of  the  greatest  difficulty, 


LIFE   OF    FATHER   MARIA    EniRAIM.  81 

and  they  had  not  the  courage  to  attempt  it.  Conse- 
quently, Vincent  was  obliged  to  1  id  adieu  to  his 
numerous  friends,  and  to  his  well-beloved  teachers. 
This  separation  rent  his  heart;  he  shed  abundance  of 
tears,  recommended  himself  to  their  prayers,  and  set 
out  for  Perpignan. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

VINCENT   RETURNS    TO    PERPIGNAN.      HIS     SOJOURN    IN    HIS    FAMILY.       HE 
GOES    TO    TOULOUSE   TO    CONTINUE    HIS    STUDIES. 

Vincent  arrived  at  Perpignan  about  the  beginning 
of  September,  1828  ;  he  was  received  by  his  parents, 
from  whom  hs  had  been  separated  nearly  three  years, 
with  the  greatest  joy, — his  return  to  the  paternal  roof 
created  an  era  in  the  family.  Soon  after,  his  sister 
Catharine,  also  returned  from  her  boarding-school. 
Like  her  brother,  she  also  had  made  great  progress. 
Piety,  developed  and  perfected  by  education  and  grace, 
manifested  its  influence  over  a  heart  so  well  formed  by 
nature.  All  the  family  were  now  once  more  re-united 
at  their  dear  country-house  at  Espyra  I'Agly. 

The  brother  and  sister  were  greatly  rejoiced  at 
finding  themselves  again  in  this  delightful  abode,  which 
had  been  the  theatre  of  the  innocent  amusements  of 
their  infancy.  A  thousand  delicious  recollections  came 
back  to  their  minds ;  a  thousand  little  circumstances 
recalled  the  memory  of  their  former  pleasures.  They 
loved  to  tell  one  another  the  impressions  which  their 
hearts  still  retained  of  them.  They  had  now  reached 
the  age — the  brother  of  fourteen,  the  sister  of  thirteen 
years ;  that  is  to  say,  they  had  now  reached  that 
epoch  of  life,  in  which  they  ceased  to  be  children,  in 
order  to  assume  the  sentiments  and  manners  of  a 
more  advanced  age.  Nevertheless,  the  good  education 
(82) 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MAllIA   EPURAIM.  83 

tliuy  Lad  received,  enabled  both  to  preserve  the  same 
taste  for  virtue  and  pietj,  for  which  their  younger 
years  were  distinguished.  Neither  of  them  put  on  any 
of  those  airs,  which  youth  so  easily  assume,  when  they 
perceive  themselves  passing  from  childhood  to  man- 
hood. Our  brother  and  sister  naturally  resumed  the 
simple  and  pleasing  pastimes,  so  suitable  to  innocence, 
and  which  made  the  happiness  of  their  younger  days. 
They  wished  to  see  again  the  former  companions  of 
their  infant  sports — those  children  of  the  village ; 
many  of  whom,  like  themselves,  had  now  become 
grown  boys  and  girls.  They  brought  them  together 
again  in  their  little  domestic  chapel,  which  Mens. 
Ferrer  caused  to  be  repaired  for  that  purpose. 

Become  now  more  capable,  because  more  instructed, 
they  gave  to  these  reunions  quite  a  new  turn;  they 
now  taught  the  catechism  in  earnest,  and  seasoned 
their  lessons  with  numerous  interesting  anecdotes,  and 
pleasing  relations,  which  they  themselves  had  heard 
from  their  teachers.  Vincent  took  upon  himself  the 
direction  of  the  boys,  and  his  good  sister  charged 
herself  with  that  of  the  girls.  Both  showed  them- 
selves invariably  affable  and  generous  towards  these 
poor  village  children.  The  return  of  "  the  advocate 
of  the  poor,"  as  Vincent  was  called,  was  soon  spread 
among  them ;  they  hurried  from  all  parts,  and  Avere 
anxious  to  put  themselves  again  under  his  patronage. 
In  a  very  short  time,  Vincent  had  as  many  clients  as 
formerly. 

These  amusements  did  not,  however,  employ  all 
their  leisure  hours ;  they  took  such  amusements  only 
as  recreation.     Each  had  brought  from  school  certain 


84  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

regulations  for  the  vacation,  which  it  was  deemed  a 
matter  of  duty  to  observe  with  the  greatest  exactness. 
The  Rev.  Canon,  also,  who  had  directed  their  primary 
education,  wished  to  have  them  still  under  his  guidance. 
This  worthy  priest  knew  well  how  to  appreciate  the 
progress  they  had  made.  But  it  was  not  so  much  by 
their  literary  acquirements  that  they  rendered  them- 
selves recommendable,  as  by  their  tender  piety.  They 
prayed  like  angels,  every  virtue  was  conspicuous  in 
them.  Their  modesty,  obedience,  and  affectionate 
tenderness  for  their  parents  rendered  the  family  most 
happy.  All  their  neighbors  could  not  help  envying 
such  happiness,  and  appreciating  the  advantages  de- 
rived from  a  Christian  education — advantages  too 
apparent  in  the  persons  of  these  children,  to  be  passed 
over,  unnoticed. 

This  happy  state  of  things  could  not,  however,  last. 
The  end  of  the  vacation  came,  and  Miss  Catharine  was 
obliged  to  return  to  school.  Vincent  also  must  be 
placed  in  some  college,  to  continue  his  studies.  Mens. 
Ferrer  hesitated  a  long  time ;  he  knew  not  where  to 
place  him.  The  judicious  observations  made  by  his 
son,  when  writing  for  leave  to  follow  his  well-beloved 
Jesuits,  have  a  greater  influence  than  ever  upon  his 
mind.  The  few  months  now  passed  in  company  with 
this  dear  child,  so  fully  accomplished  in  every  way, 
make  him  thoroughly  appreciate  the  sort  of  education 
those  Fathers  were  accustomed  to  engraft  in  the 
minds  of  their  pupils.  He  looked  around  on  every 
side,  without  being  able  to  discover  some  hands 
capable  of  continuing,  what  others  had  so  well  com- 
menced.    His  numerous  friends  and  neighbors  con- 


LIFE   OF   FATUER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  85 

gratulated  him  upon  the  modesty,  the  amiable  candor, 
the  charming  manners,  and  gentlemanly  airs  of  his 
son ;  but  yet  he  was  conscious  that  this  beloved  child 
was  now  entering  into  that  time  of  life,  at  which  the 
passions  develope  themselves  by  degrees,  in  the  heart, 
and  produce  different  affections  from  those  it  was 
heretofore  accustomed  to.  More  than  ever,  it  was  now 
necessary  to  watch  over  this  young  heart,  to  observe 
all  its  motions,  and  to  adroitly  direct  it  to  virtue. 
All  this,  the  Jesuit  Fathers  had  the  talent  to  do ;  his 
solicitude  for  his  son's  welfare  made  him  conscious 
that  they  were  fully  competent,  and  he  feared  that  he 
would  have  cause  to  repent,  if  he  did  not  confide  him 
again  to  their  care ;  but  other  considerations,  added  to 
the  advice  of  many  friends,  determined  him  to  prefer 
the  Royal  College  of  Toulouse.  Vincent  was  admitted 
to  that  college  in  the  month  of  January,  1829. 


8 


CHAPTER  V. 

VINCENT  BECOMES  REMISS  IN  HIS  RELIGIOUS  DUTIES,  AND,  BY  DEGREES, 
IMBIBES  A  TASTE  FOB  WORLDLY  PLEASURES.  HE  GOES  BACK  TO 
PERPIGNAN.  HE  AGAIN  RETURNS  TO  TOULOUSE,  IN  ORDER  TO  GO 
THROUGH   A    COURSE    OF    LEGAL   STUDIES. 

We  have  now  some  sad  pages  to  write.  This  ten- 
der tree,  growing  with  such  vigor,  whilst  in  a  fertile 
soil,  covering  itself  with  blossoms,  and  already  bearing 
such  fine  fruit,  will  now  be  seen  sensibly  declining, 
almost  dried  up,  and  scarcely  retaining  sufficient  sap, 
to  preserve  it  from  dying  outright,  when  suddenly 
transplanted  into  a  less  genial  soil. 

The  classes  were  in  full  operation,  when  Vincent 
arrived  at  the  college  of  Toulouse ;  and  it  cost  him 
some  trouble  to  become  acquainted  with  the  state  of 
things,  and  manner  of  acting.  He  was  not,  however, 
long  in  the  college,  before  he  sensibly  felt  that  he 
was  no  longer  under  the  direction  of  the  Jesuit  Fa- 
thers. He  remarked,  above  all,  a  great  difference 
between  his  former  companions  at  Aix,  and  his  new 
fellow-students  at  Toulouse.  As  much  as  the  former 
were  regular  in  their  habits,  docile,  pious,  and  edify- 
ing, so  much  were  the  latter  dissipated,  indocile, 
irreligious,  and  scandalous.  He  felt  all  the  fears  he 
had  before  manifested  to  his  father,  re-awakened,  as 
well  as  the  importance  of  the  last  instructions  given 
him  by  his  former  teachers,  at  the  moment  of  separa- 
tion. Justly  alarmed  at  his  danger,  he  wrote  to  his 
father,  earnestly  requesting  permission  to  withdraw 
(86) 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  87 

from  college ;  giving  in  excuse,  that  his  hands  ^were 
covered  over  with  blisters,  caused  by  the  frost,  and 
that  they  were  in  so  sad  a  condition,  as  to  render  the 
use  of  them  very  painful,  and  sometimes  impossible. 
Mons.  Ferrer  did  not  find  his  excuse  sufficiently 
strong,  to  justify  the  desired  permission.  He  thought 
that  his  son  was  tired  of  Toulouse,  as  he  had  been 
before,  of  Aix,  and  that  the  end  would  be,  his  habitu- 
ating himself  to  Toulouse,  as  he  had  done  before, 
among  the  Jesuits. 

Vincent,  seeing  no  hope  of  succeeding  in  his  request 
to  his  father,  armed  himself  with  courage,  in  order  to 
preserve  his  religious  feelings.  His  habitual  piety 
was,  for  some  time,  a  resource  for  preserving  him 
from  the  contagion  he  so  much  feared ;  but  those 
pious  practices,  of  which  he  could  not  rid  himself, 
were  precisely  the  first  cause  of  the  assaults  his  virtue 
had  to  sustain.  His  thoughtless  companions  made  a 
mockery  of  it ;  they  turned  him  into  ridicule,  calling 
him  Jesuit,  and  other  such  names.  He  held  out  for 
some  time ;  but,  alas !  how  terribly  seductive  is  bad 
example  !  Almost  alone  of  a  religious  turn  among  so 
many  quite  the  opposite,  the  poor  young  man  was  too 
weak  to  hold  out  always.  Little  by  little,  he  became 
accustomed  to  the  acts  of  his  comrade^;  their  conduct 
no  longer  displeased  him  so  much  as  at  first,  and,  in 
the  end,  he  began  to  look  upon  it  with  the  utmost  in- 
difference. In  the  mean  time,  he  made  some  friends, 
whom  an  uniformity  of  taste  and  character  rendered 
his  inseparable  companions ;  these  communicated  to 
him  their  sentiments  and  affections,  and  in  a  little 
time  he  became  as  one  of  them.     He  forgot  all  his 


88  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

former  fervor,  that  angelic  piety,  which,  as  he  him- 
self expressed  it,  in  his  letters,  had  filled  his  heart 
with  consolation  and  delight.  Nothing  now  indicated 
his  ever  having  had  such  sentiments.  He  retained, 
however,  his  taste  for  study.  He  had  always  been 
among  the  best  scholars  of  his  class;  he  was  de- 
sirous of  maintaining  himself  in  the  same  position  at 
Toulouse ;  he  redoubled  his  application,  and  conse- 
quently succeeded. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  events  of  1830  took  place. 
At  no  other  time  were  the  youth  of  the  schools  so 
taken  up  with  political  affairs,  as  at  this  epoch.  De- 
signedly, perhaps,  measures  had  been  taken  to  instill 
into  their  young  minds  this  poison  of  politics,  so  well 
adapted  to  disturb  and  turn  topsy-turvy  their  inex- 
perienced heads.  In  fact,  there  could  not  be  found 
at  that  time  in  any  of  the  public  establishments  an 
assemblage,  made  up  of  children  ever  so  young,  that 
did  not  discuss  political  matters.  Even  young  ladies, 
and  little  girls,  whose  only  care  hitherto  was  their 
dolls,  or  the  adorning  of  their  persons,  now  preci- 
pitated themselves  into  the  whirlpool  of  politics,  and 
were  anxious  to  become  acquainted  with  passing  events. 

The  Royal  College  of  Toulouse  was  one  of  those  in 
which  the  greatest  political  excitement  was  manifested. 
Vincent,  passionate  and  ardent  by  nature,  soon  made 
known  his  opinion:  it  was  not  that  of  the  majority, 
on  which  account  he  had  numerous  opponents.  He, 
nevertheless,  neglected  no  opportunity  to  discuss  the 
matter  at  issue.  His  vivacity,  or  rather,  his  foolish 
obstinacy  caused  him  a  great  many  embarrassments. 
At  last,  having  had  an  obstinate  and  angry  discussion 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  89 

with  bis  Professor,  the  consequences  of  which  were 
getting  to  be  serious,  he  was  obliged  to  quit  college. 
This  happened  at  the  end  of  the  year  1831. 

He  now  returned  to  his  home  at  Perpignan,  where 
he  continued  to  reside  until  the  month  of  October  of 
the  following  year,  1832.  But,  alas  !  how  different 
did  he  appear  to  every  one  who  had  known  him  be- 
fore !  Quaiitum  mutatus  ah  illo  !  No  longer  could 
they  recognize  in  him  that  young  man  so  accomplished, 
when  just  returned  from  the  school  of  the  Jesuits ; 
edifying  wherever  he  went,  and  meriting  the  just 
esteem  of  all.  He  no  longer  felt  any  interest  in  his 
good  friends  of  Espyra,  who  had  heretofore  been  so 
dear  to  him  and  aflforded  him  so  much  pleasure.  He 
now  entirely  gave  himself  up  to  selfish  pursuits,  and 
was  wholly  indifferent  to  the  good  or  bad  opinion  of 
others ;  his  only  care  was  to  pass  time  as  agreeably 
as  possible.  His  parents  were  in  secret,  perhaps, 
grieved  at  so  remarkable  a  change,  but  whether  from 
weakness  of  character,  or  from  excess  of  affection 
entertained  for  a  son,  always  respectful  towards  them, 
and  manifesting  all  filial  love  towards  their  persons, 
they  put  no  restraint  upon  his  actions ;  they  were,  on 
the  contrary,  sometimes  amused  by  his  frivolities.  At 
the  re-commencement  of  the  collegiate  year.  Mens. 
Ferrer  was  anxious  that  his  son  should  begin  his 
course  of  law  studies;  he  therefore  sent  him  back  to 
Toulouse.  Upon  his  arrival,  his  studies  took  up  the 
least  part  of  his  time  and  employed  the  least  of  his 
thoughts.  He  was  now  eighteen  years  old;  of  a 
naturally  gay  character,  endowed  with  easy  and  agree- 
able manners,  and  heir  to  a  splendid  fortune ;  every- 
8* 


90  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

thing,  in  short,  conspired  to  render  him  acceptable  to 
the  world ;  he  himself  being  now  enamored  with  its 
trifles  and  follies.  Master  of  himself,  nothing  gave 
him  any  trouble ;  everything,  on  the  contrary,  smiled 
upon  him,  and  as  his  tastes  and  inclinations  carried 
him  towards  amusement  and  pleasures,  he  gave  him- 
self up  to  them  without  restraint.  Such  is  the  un- 
fortunate lot  of  nearly  all  our  young  people,  who, 
under  pretext  of  qualifying  themselves  for  their  dif- 
ferent professions,  obtain  the  fatal  privilege  of  living 
in  idleness  in  some  of  our  large  cities,  and  of  spend- 
ing in  them  the  years  of  their  lives  that  stand  most  in 
need  of  diligent  guardianship.  Some,  it  is  true,  do 
not  abuse  those  privileges,  and  some  honorable  ex- 
amples may  be  cited;  the  more  honorable,  because 
rare. 

Ecclesiastical  history  has  preserved  for  us  the  af- 
fecting example  of  two  holy  and  illustrious  friends.  In 
the  midst  of  brilliant  and  frivolous  Athens,  Gregory 
Nazianzenus,  and  Basil,  both,  at  that  time,  very 
young,  found  out  the  admirable  secret  of  distinguish- 
ing themselves  by  their  literary  success  and  by  their 
exalted  piety.  They  knew  but  two  streets  of  tha^ 
celebrated  city ;  the  one  that  led  to  the  house  of 
God,  and  the  one  that  led  to  the  public  schools. 
Prayer  and  study  occupied  their  whole  time.  In  our 
days,  perhaps,  there  may  be  found  some  imitators  of 
those  admirable  models,  but,  alas !  how  few !  The 
greater  number  of  our  students,  considering  these 
precious  years  as  the  finest  time  of  their  lives,  spend 
them  in  the  patlis  of  dissipation  and  folly,  thereby 
destroying  the  seeds  of  virtue,  which,  perhaps,  a  pious 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  91 

mother  had  taken  great  pains  to  sow  in  their  young 
hearts ;  and  scattering  the  first  elements  of  an  edu- 
cation, -which,  at  the  commencement,  promised  to  lead 
to  Christian  perfection.  On  this  account,  we  see  so 
many  who  are  supposed  to  have  passed  through  such 
and  such  a  course  of  study,  chiefly  because  their 
names  were  written  in  the  catalogue  of  their  pro- 
fessors, re-entering  into  the  bosom  of  society,  that 
depended  upon  them  for  replacing  the  veterans  of  the 
sciences  and  of  the  magistracy,  and  teaching,  with 
diploma  in  hand,  that  which  they  never  had  learned, 
and  exercising  employments  for  which  they  are,  by  no 
means,  adapted. 

Vincent,  however,  did  not  wholly  neglect  his 
studies ;  although  dissipated,  he  did  not  cease  to  be 
reasonable.  His  father  had  sent  him  to  go  through 
with  a  course  of  law  studies ;  he  considered  himself 
bound  to  fulfil  his  father's  desires.  He  was,  besides, 
eager  to  become  acquainted  with  the  intricacies  and 
conduct  of  business  ;  both  in  order  to  direct  his  own 
aflFaii'S,  and  to  render  himself  useful  to  his  fellow- 
citizens  ;  but  he  thought  that  study  and  pleasure  were 
not  incompatible  ;  and  that  the  one  did  not  necessarily 
exclude  the  other.  He  endeavored,  consequently,  to 
reconcile  in  his  own  person,  the  most  grave  and  the 
most  trivial  occupations. 

He  continued  to  interest  himself  warmly  in  politics ; 
even  in  his  letters  to  his  sister,  he  spoke  to  her  con- 
cerning the  political  affairs  of  that  period  with  all  the 
seriousness  and  gravity  that  a  diplomatist  would  make 
use  of,  when  addressing  one  of  his  own  order.  This 
passion  drew  him  into  various  discussions,  and  was 


92  LIFE   OF   FATHEK   MAKIA   EPHRAIM. 

frequently  the  cause  of  no  little  trouble.  About  this 
period,  there  was  circulated  through  France  an  ad- 
dress in  favor  of  the  Dutchess  of  Berry.  He,  as 
well  as  many  others  of  the  students,  signed  it,  losing 
thereby  some  college  honors,  to  which  he  was  entitled. 
Sometime  after,  being  at  his  window,  whilst  an  agent 
of  the  government  was  making  a  proclamation  in  the 
college  square,  he  began  to  cry  out  with  all  his  might, 
"  Long  live  Henry  V.,"  "  Vive  Henri  V."  This  cry, 
so  opposed  to  the  proclamation  making  at  that  in- 
stant of  time,  caused  him  to  be  suspected  by  the 
police.  He  was  soon  after  arrested  and  led  to  prison. 
He  did  not,  however,  remain  in  confinement  a  long 
time ;  one  of  his  friends  went  bail  for  him,  and  he 
was  set  at  liberty. 


CHAPTER  YL 

TINCEXT  LEAVES  TOULOUSE  AND  RETURNS  TO  HIS  FAMILY.  HE  MAKES 
THE  ACQUAINTANCE  OF  A  VIRTUOUS  PRIEST,  TO  WHOM  HE  PROPOSES 
SOME  DIFFICULTIES  ON  THE  SUBJECT  OP  CONFESSION.  HE  BECOMES 
GREATLY  ATTACHED  TO  THE  AFORESAID  PRIEST,  AND  FINALLY  RETURNS 
TO  HIS  FORMER  SENTIMENTS  OF  PIETY. 

Vincent  prolonged  his  stay  at  Toulouse  till  1837, 
in  which  year  he  completed  his  course  of  law  studies. 
He  passed  the  vacations,  each  year,  at  Perpignan, 
where  he  continued  with  very  few  variations  the  same 
routine  of  life  he  was  accustomed  to  follow  at  Toulouse. 
He  made  the  acquaintance  of  many  young  gentlemen 
of  his  own  peculiar  tastes  and  character,  and  with 
these  he  passed  his  time  as  agreeably  as  possible.  All 
his  letters  to  his  absent  friends,  and  all  his  conversa- 
tion with  those  present,  were  entirely  taken  up  with 
descriptions  of  parties  of  pleasure,  of  evening  enter- 
tainments, of  balls  either  in  contemplation,  or  that 
had  already  been  gone  through  with.  Sometimes, 
those  young  gentlemen,  when  come  together,  would 
discuss  the  subject  of  dress,  sometimes  that  of  music, 
for  Vincent  loved  music ;  sometimes,  also,  their  con- 
versation would  be  found  more  frivolous  and  less  suit- 
able to  chaste  ears.  Vincent,  in  fine,  became  what 
is  called  a  fashionable  young  man ;  or,  if  the  term 
be  more  expressive,  an  honest  worldling,  preserving 
no  more  of  his  former  religion,  than  that  vague 
esteem   for   religion  in  general  professed    by  some 

(93) 


94  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

honorable  families,  who  consider  it  a  thing  good  in 
itself,  but  almost  entirely  forget  all  its  practices.  In 
this  manner,  passed  those  years,  which,  a  little  later, 
made  him  shed  so  many  tears.  Having  received  all 
his  certificates,  and  sustained  his  thesis,  he  received 
his  license  to  practice  at  the  Bar.  He  then  quitted 
Toulouse  for  the  last  time. 

Arrived  at  Perpignan,  his  future  permanent  resi- 
dence, he  there  found  his  sister,  for  whom  he  always 
entertained  the  greatest  affection.  Miss  Catharine 
had  only  then  come  out  from  the  Convent  of  the 
Ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  where  she  had  just 
finished  her  education.  Rejoiced  at  finding  them- 
selves together  at  last,  after  many  years  of  separation, 
during  which  they  saw  each  other  only  during  the 
vacations,  and  that  short  pleasure  attended  by  the 
pangs  of  parting,  the  brother  and  sister  drew  closer 
the  bonds  of  affection,  which  was  the  great  cause 
of  their  happiness  now,  as  well  as  in  their  younger 
days. 

Behold  them  now  arrived  at  a  critical  epoch ;  the 
brother  was  twenty-two  years  old,  the  sister,  twenty- 
one  :  at  this  age,  young  people  generally  forget  the 
ideas  and  manners  of  infancy,  and  assume,  in  their 
place,  more  grave  sentiments.  Their  education  is 
now  finished,  their  mind  is  more  or  less  developed, 
their  heart  formed  either  to  virtue  or  the  contrary ; 
it  is  at  this  age,  that  they  begin  to  think  of  the  future, 
to  open  for  themselves  a  career,  through  which  they 
must  run,  in  order  to  fix  themselves  in  some  social 
position.  All  this  introduces  them  to  a  manner  of 
life,  wholly  different  from  that  of  their  infancy ;  they 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  95 

find  themselves  in  quite  a  different  order  of  things. 
Nevertheless,  the  young  Ferrers,  both  brother  and 
sister,    were   in    no    great    haste    to    trouble    them- 
selves with   such   preoccupations ;    they  loved  their 
parents    as   dearly    as    themselves,    and    their    chief 
thoughts  were  to  enjoy  the  happiness  of  re-union,  and 
to  taste  all  the  delights  of  a  family  life.     Next  to 
their  parents,  whom  they  made  their  principal  and 
most  intimate  companions,  they  chose  some  familiar 
friends  of  their  own  age,  chiefly  the  companions  with 
whom  they  had  lived  at  college,  or  at  the  nunnery, 
according  to  the  sex  of  the  parties.     Exempt  from 
care  and  anxiety,  they  visited  among  themselves  re- 
gularly, assembled  at  one  place  frequently ;  each  one 
bringing  his  or  her  quota  of  entertainment  and  good 
nature.     We   have   before   observed,    that  gloom    or 
melancholy  was  not  the  characteristic  of  either  Vin- 
cent or  his  sister,  it  may  then  be  imagined   that  such 
ao-reeable  ways  of  passing  their  time  were  by  no  means 
unacceptable  to  them.     This  manner  of  living  tended 
in  no  guise  to  holiness  of  life.     The  good  education 
received    by    Miss    Catharine    among    the    excellent 
Ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  the   principles  of  virtue 
with  which  her  soul  had  been  so  lately  adorned,  were 
far  from  finding  proper  nourishment  in  such  worldly 
pursuits.    A  tendency  to  dissipation  was  the  necessary 
consequence  of  the  neglect  of  religious  duties  ;  the 
father  and  mother  were  convinced  that  such  was  evi- 
dently the  case,  and  this  thought  frequently  excited 
their   solicitude.     More   than    once,  whilst    speaking 
of  the  future  prospects  of  theii'  children,  they  were 
led  to  compare  their  more  juvenile  years  Avith  these 


96  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

now  passing;  their  former  tendency  to  virtue  and 
piety  with  their  actual  dissipation,  and  neglect  of 
the  practice  of  religion.  This  comparison  cost  them 
more  than  one  sigh,  but  Mons.  and  Made.  Ferrer 
partook  too  much  of  the  prejudices  of  the  world,  in 
this  respect.  Overstrained  affection,  very  natural  in 
itself,  hinders  many  parents  from  going  in  opposition 
to  the  wishes  of  their  children,  who,  in  other  respects, 
by  their  amiability  and  good  dispositions,  give  them 
so  many  motives  for  consolation,  and  so  many  hours 
of  parental  enjoyment.  "It  is  their  character," 
they  commonly  say,  "  it  is  their  youth,  and  not  any 
perverse  inclinations.  It  is  absolutely  necessary  that 
they  see  something  of  the  world,  and  that  the  woidd 
see  something  of  them,  that  they  may  be  rightly 
esteemed  and  duly  appreciated ;  for,  in  what  other 
way  can  they  establish  themselves  in  society?"  En- 
trenched thus  behind  considerations  so  little  Christian- 
like, the  parental  authority  becomes  relaxed,  and  even 
authorizes  many  weaknesses  and  frailties  reproved  by 
sound  morality,  condemned  by  religion,  and  causing 
to  the  children  themselves  many  griefs  hereafter,  and 
to  the  parents,  regrets  and  sorrows. 

Things  were  in  this  state  in  the  Ferrer  family, 
when  they  received  a  visit  from  one  of  their  connec- 
tions, and  a  relation  by  blood,  Miss  Eliza  Alday  de 
Ceret.  Miss  Eliza  had  also  finished  her  education. 
She  very  much  loved  her  cousin  Catharine  and  her 
aunt,  who  was  her  mother's  sister,  and  came  to  pass 
some  months  with  them.  Endowed  by  nature  with 
a  happy  and  agreeable  disposition,  as  was  well  known 
to  all,  she   met   with  a  hearty  welcome,   and  their 


LIFE   OF    FATEER   MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  97 

gaycty  was  consequently  redoubled.  Miss  Alday 
was  fond  of  amusements,  but  she  never  wished  to 
enjoy  them  at  the  expense  of  virtue.  Good  sense 
accompanied  all  her  actions ;  and,  whenever  she  saw 
her  innocence  likely  to  be  endangered,  she  was  con- 
scientiously careful  to  avoid  the  threatening  occasion. 
Faithful  to  a  practice  she  had  always  observed,  since 
her  departure  from  the  convent  in  which  she  was 
educated,  she  one  morning,  at  an  early  hour,  stole 
secretly  from  the  house,  in  order  to  communicate  to 
a  minister  of  the  Lord  the  difficulties  of  her  present 
position  at  her  aunt's.  She  providentially  finds  in 
her  director  a  priest  according  to  God's  own  heart, 
and  animated  by  His  Spirit,  who  speaks  to  her  like 
a  man  well  versed  in  the  science  of  holiness.  She 
receives  from  him  words  of  peace  and  advice  relative 
to  her  present  position.  This  is  not  sufficient  for 
her.  She  returns  next  day  to  find  her  Ananias,  ac- 
companied by  her  cousin,  who  stood  in  need  of  reli- 
gious consolation  and  pious  advice.  Both  returned 
comforted,  consoled,  and  with  renewed  hearts. 

Vincent  noticed  their  absence;  he  was  struck  by 
the  air  of  reserve  and  reflection,  that  both,  contrary 
to  their  usual  custom,  had  assumed.  He  suspected 
some  mystery,  and  soon  ascertains  the  truth,  after 
some  few  inquiries.  This  was  for  him  a  happy  dis- 
covery, from  which  he  promised  himself  much  amuse- 
ment, at  the  expense  of  these  poor  young  ladies. 
Soon  he  approaches  them,  and  in  a  tone  of  raillery, 
exclaims:  "Well  done,  my  ladies;  you  are  on  the 
high  road  to  Heaven !  Devotees  in  the  twinkling  of 
an  eye ;  ye  cannot  fail  to  arrive  soon  at  the  happy 
9 


08  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

state  of  bigotism !  Do  not  be  afraid,  be  courageous . 
Ye  will  make  rapid  strides  towards  perfection,  and, 
provided  ye  be  assiduous  in  attending  to  the  mystical 
lessons  of  your  pious  inventor  (their  confessor)  of 
miraculous  interpositions,  I  despair  not,  to  see  you 
after  a  little  elevate  your  eyes,  and  twist  your  neck, 
with  all  the  grace  of  one  of  our  rustic  saints."  He 
continued  for  some  time,  to  address  them  in  this  tone 
of  raillery,  mingling  sometimes  expressions  in  bad 
taste,  and  unbecoming  in  one  of  his  rank.  These 
attacks,  however,  by  no  means  disconcerted  our  new 
converts;  they  had  chosen  their  ground  and  stood 
firm  upon  it.  They  received  his  railleries  without 
emotion,  and  being  unwilling  to  pay  them  back,  they 
only  laughed. 

IIow  lovely,  and,  at  the  same  time,  how  incompre- 
hensible are  the  ways  in  which  the  Lord  exercises  his 
designs  of  mercy  over  his  elect!  No,  Christian 
mother ;  all  the  trouble  you  have  taken  to  inculcate 
good  lessons  and  the  principles  of  virtue  in  the  hearts 
of  your  children,  shall  not  be  thrown  away !  No, 
virtuous  father;  the  money  expended,  when  you  made 
the  sacrifice  of  conducting  your  beloved  son  far  from 
your  family  hearth,  in  order  to  place  him  at  a  pious 
institution  conducted  by  God-fearing  men,  shall  not 
be  laid  out  in  vain !  The  pious  seeds  you  caused  to 
be  sown  in  the  good  soil  of  the  heart  of  your  son, 
will  germinate  at  their  proper  season ;  and  that  season, 
already  marked  out  by  Providence,  is  precisely  the 
one  apparently  the  most  distant.  At  the  moment 
that  Vincent  was  living  in  the  most  culpable,  and 
almost  total  forgctfulness  of  religion  ;  at  the  moment 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  99 

in  which  he  was  giving  himself  up  to  all  the  impetu- 
osity of  youth ;  at  the  same  moment  that  he  was 
acting  so  wicked  a  part  towards  his  sister  and  cousin, 
Divine  Goodness,  God  Himself,  was  preparing  for 
him  divine  and  admirable  favors. 

He  continued  his  system  of  raillery,  seizing  upon 
every  opportunity  of  turning  into  ridicule  their  acts 
of  piety,  notwithstanding  that  he  felt  an  involuntary 
trouble  taking  possession  of  his  own  soul.  He  speaks, 
but  his  spirit,  and  still  less  his  heart,  no  longer  dic- 
tates the  words  he  makes  use  of ;  there  is  no  harmony 
between  his  words  and  his  thoughts,  and  he  feels 
internally  a  formal  disavowal  of  all  the  invectives 
uttered  against  the  piety  of  these  young  ladies. 
Whence  cometh  this  disagreement,  this  agitation  so 
extraordinary?  He  cannot  account  for  it.  At  in- 
tervals, he  falls  into  a  fit  of  abstraction ;  old  recollec- 
tions, recollections  of  bygone  days,  the  recollections 
of  infancy  are  being  retraced  in  his  soul,  and,  far  from 
troubling  it,  they  produce,  on  the  contrary,  the  most 
delightful  emotions.  In  spite  of  himself,  he  compares 
the  past  with  the  present ;  his  former  sentiments  with 
these  lately  adopted.  Everything  tends  to  throw  his 
ideas  into  confusion.  He  was  in  this  state  one  day,  when 
he  saw  his  sister  and  cousin  just  leaving  the  house  on 
some  business  ;  suddenly  he  felt  himself  as  if  dragged 
on  to  follow  them ;  he  knows  not  the  reason  why,  but 
a  sort  of  instinct  strongly  forces  him  to  become  a  spy 
upon  their  actions.  He  yields  to  the  unknown  incen- 
tive, sets  out  after  them,  and  soon  gets  in  sight. 
Taking  care  not  to  be  seen  himself,  and  keeping  at 
a  certain  distance,  he  thus  follows  them ;  whilst  they. 


100  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIIIAIM. 

on  their  part,  unconsciously  serve  as  guides  to  thei» 
indefatigable  persecutor,  and  conduct  him  to  the 
church  of  St.  James.  Entering  the  church,  they  go 
towards  one  of  the  confessionals,  whilst  Vincent  goes 
to  hide  himself  in  one  of  the  corners,  from  which  he 
could  see  all  that  was  passing.  For  the  first  time  in 
many  years,  he  now  re-enters  into  himself,  and  gives 
himself  up  to  serious  reflections.  The  past,  the 
present,  the  very  acts  of  his  cousin  and  sister,  of 
which  he  is  now  a  witness,  without  well  knowing  the 
reason ;  everything,  in  fine,  speaks  to  his  heart.  IIo 
remains  a  considerable  length  of  time  buried  in  such 
thoughts,  without  feeling  the  least  fatigue  ;  but  he  is 
far  from  yielding  to  the  different  impressions,  which, 
one  after  another,  take  hold  oi.  his  mind. 

After  some  time,  he  perceives  that  the  young  ladies, 
having  now  accomplished  tjieir  purpose  at  the  con- 
fessional, were  retiring.  He  also,  having  now  no 
stated  or  precise  object  in  remaining,  should  do  the 
same ;  but  he  could  not.  The  same  hidden,  involun- 
tary agency  that  had,  as  if  in  spite  of  himself,  con- 
ducted him  to  the  church,  seemed  now  to  demand 
something  more,  to  insist  upon  his  remaining.  He 
feels  an  ardent  desire  spring  up  in  his  mind  to  have 
a  conversation,  were  it  only  of  a  few  words,  with  that 
very  confessor,  who  had  become  the  spiritual  father 
of  his  sister  and  cousin.  But  what  had  he  to  say  to 
him?  He  was  not  acquainted  with  him.  With  what 
pretext  then  was  he  to  cover  over  the  introducing  of 
himself  so  abruptly  into  his  presence?  His  ingenuity 
soon  fixes  upon  one.  He  goes  into  the  sacristy,  and 
requests  one  of  the  children,  who  assist  in  the  choir — 


LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EriIRAIM.  1^1 

called  in  France  "  Enfants  de  Cliocur" — to  go  to  such 
a  confessional,  and  tell  tlie  priest,  that  a  person  was 
desirous  to  speak  with  him  for  a  few  moments.  The 
good  priest  was  at  that  instant  hearing  the  confession 
of  his  last  penitent ;  he  wished  to  finish,  ere  he  left 
the  holy  tribunal,  consequently  he  did  not  immediately 
follow  the  messenger.      The    impatient   young  man 

sends  a  second,  and  then  the  Abbe  G ,  vicar  of 

the  parish  of  St.  James,  Perpignan,  hastens  to  the 
sacristy.    Vincent,  with  an  air  somewhat  embarrassed, 
excuses  himself  for  the  liberty  he  had  taken  in  dis- 
turbing him,  whilst  in  discharge  of  his  duties.     "  It 
is  nothing,  sir,"  replied  the  obliging  priest;  "we  are 
frequently  obliged  to  interrupt  our  occupations ;  I  did 
not  suppose,  that  I  was  called  for  anything  of  great 
emergency,  and  had  I  known  with  whom  I  was  about 
to  have  the  honor  of  speaking,  I  would  have  come 
immediately; — but  in  what  can  I  have  the  pleasure 
of  serving  you  ?'      "  Nothing  ^of  great  importance," 
replied  Vincent,  "  occasions  my  troubling  you ;  simply, 
I  hear  a  great  deal  about  a  new  saint,  whom  you  call 
St.  Philomena,  and  am  curious  to  know  the  particulars 
of  her  history.     It  is  said  that  you  have  in  your  pos- 
session a  book  that  mentions  it ;  may  I  beg  the  favor 
of  the   loan   of  that  book?"     "With   the    greatest 
pleasure,  sir."     "But,"  continued  the  young  lawyer, 
"  you  will  permit  me  to  observe,  that   I  like  good 
proofs,  and  that,  therefore,  I  will  read  the  life  of  your 
saint  attentively  and  subject  it  to  a  sort  of  critical 
examination :   for,  unfortunately,  many  maxims  that 
need  proof,  are  frequently  assumed   as   established 
truths  in  our  church,  and  many  things  are  given  as 
9* 


102  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

facts,  which  are,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  doubtful. 
Every  one,  however,  is  endowed  with  natural  logic,  if 
I  may  so  express  it ;  every  one  has  the  light  of  reason, 
and  wishes  to  exercise  it ;  finding  his  reason  and  the 
things  gratuitously  asserted  as  facts,  to  disagree,  he 
becomes  skeptical,  and  religion  is  made  light  of,  and 
suffers  accordingly." — "But  take  care,  sir,"  answered 
the  Abbe,  interrupting  our  disputant,  "  take  care,  sir, 
that  you  don't,  yourself,  fall  into  the  very  fault  you 
are  censuring,  and  with  which  you  so  very  gratuitously 
accuse  Catholic  writers.  Do  not  be  so  hasty  to  accuse 
them  of  bringing  forward  vain  assertions  for  facts, 
until  you,  yourself,  have  taken  the  precaution  of 
establishing  such  a  paradox  by  solid  proofs.  No,  sir ; 
undeceive  yourself,  if  indeed  you  seriously  entertain 
such  an  opinion ;  everything  is  positive  and  most 
exactly  proved  in  our  holy  religion.  In  the  sciences, 
even  in  those  styled  'the  exact,'  principles  are  fre- 
quently founded  upon  results  obtained  through  the 
medium  of  certain  experiments,  theorems  are  some- 
times supported  by  the  mere  concurrence  of  coinci- 
dences, or  of  pure  probabilities ;  but  in  religion,  the 
thing  is  quite  different;  it  is  not  probabilities  that 
can  satisfy  our  faith ;  we  must  have  solid  proofs — proofs 
that  result  from  certainty ;  and  not  only  from  moral 
certainty,  but  almost  always  from  metaphysical  cer- 
tainty." "But  then,"  insisted  Vincent,  now  launched 
in  the  ocean  of  controversy,  "it  would  be  very  diffi- 
cult for  you  to  demonstrate  the  necessity  of  confes- 
sion." "  It  would  be  very  easy  for  me  to  establish 
the  necessity  of  confession,  and  to  maintain  it  by 
proofs  as  incontestible   as   those  that   establish  the 


LIFE    OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  103 

other  truths  and  practices  of  religion.  I  am  not 
sorry,  that  you  have  selected  this  subject  of  confession 
for  discussion,  because  it  has,  now  a-days,  become  the 
mark  at  which  all  the  sarcasms  of  impiety  are  aimed  ; 
but,  whereas  you  love  logic,  sir,  let  us  proceed  in 
order,  and  conduct  our  discussion  with  as  much  clear- 
ness and  exactness  as  possible. 

"You  have,  sir,  previously  exhibited  a  little  ran- 
cor against  St.  Philomena :  you  have,  perhaps,  some 
doubts  as  to  the  existence,  or  the  sanctity  of  that 
happy  virgin.  Do  you  wish,  without  going  farther, 
to  found  your  objections  upon  either  of  these  points  ? 
But  you  expressed  a  desire  to  read  her  life :  well,  take 
this  little  work,  examine  it  at  your  leisure,  weigh  well 
all  the  propositions  ;  I  pledge  myself  to  take  note  of 
everything  that  shall  appear  to  you,  either  assumed, 
or  inexact,  and  when  you  have  a  better  knowledge  of 
the  subject,  we  can  then  reason  upon  it  with  more 
profit,  and  with  a  more  intimate  acquaintance  with 
the  matter  in  dispute. 

"  Let  us,  for  the  present,  turn  our  conversation 
upon  the  necessity  of  confession  ;  but  as  this  necessity 
is  supported  by  a  multitude  of  proofs,  all  equally  solid, 
the  enumeration  and  exposition  of  which  would  detain 
us  too  long,  and  would  be,  besides,  perhaps,  of  no  ad- 
vantage to  you,  because  different  proofs  are  required 
for  different  classes  of  unbelievers,  I  beg,  that  you 
will  have  the  goodness  to  make  known  to  me  as  briefly 
as  possible,  your  profession  of  faith ;  in  order  that  I 
may  be  able  to  adapt  my  arguments  to  your  objections, 
and  also,  that  I  may  know  whom  I  have  the  honor 
of  addressing.'! 


104  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

"  It  vrlll  be  no  inconvenience  to  me,"  replied  Vin- 
cent quickly,  "  to  make  known  to  you,  Rev.  Sir,  both 
my  name  and  my  condition  in  life.  I  have  had  the 
happiness  to  be  born  in  the  Catholic  religion ;  in  that 
religion  I  have  been  educated,  and  in  the  same,  I  hope, 
with  the  grace  of  God,  to  die.  I  am  the  son  of  Mons. 
Ferrer,  of  this  city ;  perhaps  you  know  my  father, 
Mons.  Ferrer  Maurell?" 

'•  Oh  !  yes,  sir,  I  have  the  honor  of  knowing  Mons. 
Ferrer  Maurell,  and  I  know  him  to  be  a  gentleman 
of  whose  acquaintance  any  one  may  be  proud.  I  am 
glad  to  render  homage  to  all  the  honorable  sentiments 
for  which  that  family  is  remarkable.  I  will  even  add, 
that  although  I  have  never  before  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  you,  and  of  conversing  with  you,  I  have  fre- 
quently heard  you  well  spoken  of.  You  have  received 
your  education  at  the  Jesuits',  have  you  not,  sir?" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  answered  Vincent,  now  really  moved 
by  the  honesty  and  politeness  of  the  worthy  priest. 

"  I  thank  you  for  that  acknoweldgment,"  continued 
the  minister  of  the  Lord ;  "  it  will  tend  to  shorten  our 
discussion,  because  it  will  dispense  me  from  the 
necessity  of  bringing  forward  arguments,  which  I  now 
consider  out  of  season,  as  far  as  you  are  concerned. 
In  the  college  of  the  Jesuits,  you  have  imbibed  good 
principles,  to  which  you  were  fortunate  enough  to 
correspond.  I  know  this  to  be  the  fact,  as  well  as 
that  you  have  been  every  way  exemplary  during  the 
whole  time  you  spent  under  those  excellent  masters. 
This  happy  disposition  you  carried  back  with  you  into 
the  bosom  of  your  family,  where  you  preserved  it  for 
a  long  time;  you  preserved  it,  I  say,  until  circum- 


LIFE   OF  FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM.  105 

Stances  obliged  jou  to  breathe  a  less  pure  air.  There, 
under  a  less  strict  surveillance,  and  surrounded  by 
dangerous  friends — dangerous,  because  of  perverse 
inclinations,  and  of  corrupt  hearts — you  were  not  able 
to  resist  the  allurements  of  bad  example,  and,  after 
having  struggled  a  short  time,  you  yielded  to  the  tor- 
rent that  dragged  you  on." 

Language  like  this,  coming  from  the  mouth  of  so 
dignified  a  person,  without  the  least  taint  of  asperity, 
and  containing  a  faithful  history  of  his  past  life,  dis- 
concerted for  the  moment  our  young  philosopher. 
His  forehead  began  to  grow  red;  the  good  priest  per- 
ceived it,  but  pretended  to  take  no  notice.  Taking 
advantage  of  this  emotion,  he  continued  :  "  now,  my 
dear  young  friend,  permit  me  to  ask  you  a  few 
questions,  and  answer  me,  I  pray  you,  with  frankness. 
During  the  years  that  you  led  a  virtuous  and  regular 
life,  were  you  not  happy?" — "Yes,  sir." — "And 
since  you  have  permitted  yourself  to  fall  into  irregu- 
larities, and  to  neglect  a  little  too  much  the  practices 
of  religion;  have  you  experienced  real  happiness? 
Answer  me  sincerely,  for  I  am  speaking  to  your 
heart." — Vincent  sighed ;  this  sigh  was  a  sufficient 
answer,  and  the  good  priest  waited  for  no  other. — 
"  But  this  true  happiness  you  enjoyed,  when  you  were 
sincerely  virtuous,  and  which  you  have  lost,  since  you 
ceased  to  be  so ;  did  it  not  proceed  from  your  heart's 
being  in  tranquillity,  content  from  your  soul's  being 
at  peace  ?  Now  this  contentment  of  the  heart,  this 
peace  of  mind,  have  they  not  their  source  in  the  testi- 
mony of  a  pure  conscience  ?  And  what  other  means 
than  confession  can  there  be  found  to  purify  the  con- 


106  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

science,  when  it  is  sullied,  and  to  keep  it  in  innocence, 
when  it  has  recovered  ?"  Such  reasoning  was  forcible 
and  convincing ;  Vincent's  good  sense  could  not  resist 
it ;  he  did  not  like,  however,  to  yield,  and  made  one 
more  struggle,  which  was  rather  a  mark  of  defeat, 
than  an  objection.  "  But,"  said  he,  "  confessing  one's 
self  is  really  very  painful,  and  opposed  to  the  natural 
feelings  of  the  human  breast." — "  Confessing  one's 
self,"  replied  the  priest,  "is  most  consoling;  the 
practice  is  painful  only  to  those  who  never  make  use 
of  it,  or  to  those  who  use  it  only  as  an  acquittance, 
regardless  of  bringing  to  the  holy  act  all  the  dispo- 
sitions it  requires :  good  souls,  generous  souls,  holy 
souls,  find  in  confession  a  source  of  precious  conso- 
lations. It  is  always  found  to  be  most  true,  that  the 
more  a  Christian  increases  in  piety,  the  more  assidu- 
ous is  his  attendance  at  the  holy  tribunal.  Whilst 
his  conduct  is  regular,  whilst  he  is  seriously  occupied 
in  working  out  his  salvation  by  cultivating  the  means 
pointed  out  by  religion,  he  experiences  no  difficulty 
with  regard  to  the  truths  of  the  faith;  he  adheres 
fully  with  heart  and  soul  to  all  its  dogmas  and  prac- 
tices, and  his  mind  only  commences  to  be  enveloped 
in  darkness  and  tormented  with  doubts,  when  his  con- 
science ceases  to  be  pure.  Doubts  in  matters  of  faith, 
are  the  necessary  consequence  of  irregular  and  un- 
restrained passions.  The  recollection  of  the  eternal 
truths  of  religion  is  a  cruel — the  most  cruel — torment 
to  such  passions,  and  they  can  find  no  other  remedy 
against  the  gnawing  worm  of  remorse,  than  the  falla- 
cious one  of  affected  incredulity." 

This  last  reflection  struck  the  last  blow  at  Vin- 


LIFE   OF  FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  107 

cent's  Irresolution;  grace  was  operating  upon  tliir 
sensible  soul,  formed  from  the  first  for  virtue,  and 
•which  unfortunate  circumstances  alone  had  led  astray 
from  its  first  path.  The  example  of  his  cousin  and 
sister,  and  the  conversation  of  this  worthy  minister 
of  the  Lord,  Avere  the  means  employed  by  the  God 
of  mercy,  to  bring  back  this  stray  sheep  to  the  fold. 
All  the  words  he  had  just  heard,  opened  for  them- 
selves a  passage  to  his  heart ;  all  obstacles,  by  little 
and  little,  were  levelled  ;  darkness  vanished,  and  gave 
place  to  the  light  of  truth.  Vincent  knew  well  in 
his  own  heart,  that  he  had  not  ceased  to  believe  in 
the  necessity  of  confession,  but  when  he  had  ceased 
to  be  virtuous :  he  saw  clearly,  that  it  was  his  life 
of  dissipation,  which  made  that  practice,  formerly  the 
source  of  heartfelt  delight,  appear  impracticable, 
painful  and  disgusting.  lie  now  resisted  no  longer  ; 
grace  continuing  its  wonderful  and  always  pleasing 
operations,  he  gave  free  access  to  the  emotions  that 
were  insinuating  themselves  into  his  heart.  His  eyes 
filled  with  tears,  and  impulsively  he  threw  himself  at 
the  feet  of  the  priest,  who  had  thus  performed,  with 
respect  to  him,  the  ofiice  of  an  apostle.  The  good 
Father  hastened  to  raise  him  up,  their  hands  met,  and 
were  firmly  clasped.  "  Be  my  friend.  Reverend 
Father,"  cried  Vincent,  embracing  him;  "hencefor- 
ward I  will  be  yours ;  grant  me  the  permission  of 
sometimes  visiting  you." — "I  am  flattered,"  replied 
the  good  Abbe,  in  his  own  humble  and  affectionate 
manner,  "  I  am  flattered  by  the  friendship  with 
which  you  wish  to  honor  me ;  I  will  make  it  a  duty 
to  be  at  your  service  as  often  as  may  be  agreeable  to 


108  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

you,  and  shall  deem  myself  tappy,  if  I  can,  in  any 
way,  be  of  any  advantage  to  you." 

He  promised,  and  he  kept  his  word.  From  that 
moment,  Vincent  felt  towards  the  zealous  curate  of 
St.  James'  an  affection,  confidence  and  esteem,  that 
were  never  lessened,  and  which  produced  in  himself 
precious  results.  Mons.  G  *  '^  *,  on  his  part,  had 
for  his  young  neophyte  all  the  devotedness  of  the 
most  attentive,  and  most  intelligent  zeal :  he  knew 
that  he  required  diligent  care  at  his  hands,  and  he 
left  nothing  undone,  tending  to  strengthen  and  in- 
vigorate those  favors  and  heavenly  blessings,  that 
grace,  from  the  very  commencement  of  his  conver- 
sion, seemed  preparing  for  him. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

TTKCENT    TAKES     THE    RESOLrTION    OF    QTTITTING    THE    "n'OHLC,    AND     OF 
DEVOTING   HIMSELF   TO    GOD   IN  A   RELIGIOUS    LIFE. 

Upon  his  return  home,  he  felt  himself  quite  a  dif- 
ferent person,  both  in  deportment  and  sentiment,  from 
what  he  was,  prior  to  his  interview  with  the  good 
Abbe  G  *  '^  *.  No  longer  the  mocking  censor  of 
the  devout  practices  of  his  sister  and  cousin,  he  be- 
came for  them,  on  the  contrary,  a  model,  which  they 
could  with  difficulty  imitate.  Pie  also  would  now 
frequently  steal  away,  in  order  to  confer  with  the 
director  of  his  choice,  and  obtain  from  him  that  light 
and  consolation,  of  which  his  soul  and  heart  were  so 
desirous.  He  felt  no  longer  any  of  that  repugnance 
or  opposition  to  confession,  which  he  was  formerly 
accustomed  to  display  with  so  much  bitterness ;  he 
felt,  on  the  contrary,  the  absolute  need  of  being 
strengthened  by  its  salutary  effects.  It  was  not  after 
one  or  more  communications  with  his  confessor  that 
peace  returned  to  his  soul ;  he  endeavored  to  see 
every  day  him  who  had  the  key  of  his  heart,  and 
when  he  could  not  have  a  personal  interview,  he 
always  found  some  opportunity  of  conversing  with 
him  by  letters.  This  mutual  exchange  of  sweet  and 
edifying  friendship  had  a  most  happy  effect  upon  his 
soul,  now  extricating  itself  from  the  bonds  of  error ; 
a  holy  calm  returned  by  degrees,  and  he  began  to 
follow,  with  a  joyous  serenity,  all  the  suggestions  of 
10  (109) 


110  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EniRAIM. 

divine  grace.  The  Abbe  G  *  *  "*,  well  versed  in 
the  direction  of  souls,  was  not  long  in  discovering 
that  God  had  particular  designs  upon  his  young 
penitent.  He  redoubled  his  zeal ;  he  prayed  for 
him,  and  recommended  him  to  the  prayers  of  others. 
He  was  most  earnest  in  his  exhortations,  suggesting  to 
him  many  devout  practices,  and  more  especially,  de- 
votion to  Mary,  the  Mother  of  God,  to  whom,  when 
he  was  a  mere  child,  he  had  given  up  his  heart. 
Vincent,  on  his  part,  experienced  little  difficulty  in 
resuming  those  ineffable  sentiments  towards  his  holy 
Patroness,  which  had  formerly  been  the  source  of  so 
much  happiness.  He  felt  himself  dragged  on  by  some 
powerful  unseen  agency  to  make  some  noble  sacrifice 
for  the  love  of  God.  After  having  tasted,  in  his  boy- 
hood, of  the  sweets  flowing  from  the  service  of  Jesus 
Christ,  he  had  been  induced,  at  a  more  advanced 
period,  to  drink  from  the  cup  of  worldly  pleasures. 
This  experience  enabled  him  to  judge  and  feel  the 
difference  between  the  two  rival  pursuits ;  and  he 
found  it  immense.  The  former  produced  a  holy  calm, 
peace  and  happiness ;  whilst  the  latter  was  always 
accompanied  by  disgust,  trouble,  desolation,  anguish 
and  despair.  Irresistibly  dragged  on  by  the  workings 
of  his  own  heart  to  make  a  choice,  he  did  not  long 
hesitate ;  his  choice  was  soon  made,  which,  in  one  of 
the  interviews  with  his  spiritual  director,  he  thu3 
announced : 

"  It  is  to  my  contact  with  the  world,  to  my  intercourse 
with  those  who  are  subject  to  its  deceitful  laws,  that 
I,  dear  and  Reverend  Father,  must  attribute  all  my 
unhappincss.     The.  good   and   merciful   God   has  at 


LIFE  OP  FATUER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  Ill 

length,  through  your  means,  opened  my  eyes,  and 
brought  me  to  a  sense  of  my  errors.  Through  your 
good  instructions,  I  have  been  enabled  to  sound  the 
depths  of  the  abyss,  that  was  daily  growing  deeper 
under  my  footsteps.  God,  in  his  mercy,  will  forget 
the  past,  I  trust ;  but  what  provisions  have  I  made 
for  the  future?  The  same  snares  in  which  I  was 
formerly  entangled,  are  still  extended  for  my  de- 
struction, and  prepare  for  me  occasions  of  sinning, 
perhaps  greater  than  those  I  have  now  to  deplore. 
On  account  of  my  rank  in  life,  of  the  social  position 
of  my  family,  I  am  obliged  to  live  in  the  midst  of  such 
dangers;  but  you  know,  as  well  as  myself,  all  the 
weakness  of  my  poor  heart,  so  ready  to  receive  im- 
pressions, and  defending  itself  with  so  much  difficulty 
from  the  baneful  effects  of  bad  example.  Now,  the 
good  God  inspires  me  with  a  project,  which  I  wish  to 
submit  to  your  decision ;  it  seems  to  me,  that  its  exe- 
cution would  effectually  establish  me  in  peace ;  but  I 
wish  to  proceed  no  farther  in  it,  than  may  meet  your 
approbation.  I  wish,  in  fine,  to  break  all  ties  with 
the  world,  and  consecrate  myself  entirely  and  ex- 
clusively to  the  service  of  the  Lord." — The  good 
priest,  whilst  observing  the  effects  of  grace  upon  this 
young  heart,  was  under  the  belief,  that  there  were 
visible  and  evident  predispositions  to  an  extraordinary 
holiness  of  life ;  but  as  this  is  a  delicate  cord,  and 
one  which  it  is  imprudent  to  touch  at  the  commence- 
ment of  spontaneous  conversions,  he  kept  on  his 
guard,  and  never  spoke  on  the  subject.  He  was  not 
surprised,  then,  at  the  project  of  his  penitent,  and 
thus  answered  him :  "  Don't  neglect,  my  dear  sir, 


112  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

this  inspiration,  which,  probably,  has  come  from  on 
high ;  take  care,  however,  not  to  put  it  into  imme- 
diate execution.  Redouble  your  fidelity  in  corres- 
ponding to  the  grace  you  have  received;  let  us 
earnestly  pray  to  God,  and  have  confidence  in  Him. 
He  will  not  desert  us.  He  will  enlighten  you,  and 
make  known  to  you,  in  due  season.  His  holy  will. 
Don't  neglect,  above  all  things,  to  honor  Mary,  His 
blessed  Mother,  with  an  ever  increasing  devotion." — 
Vincent  entered  perfectly  into  the  spirit  of  this  advice ; 
thus,  writing  one  day  to  his  director,  he  says ;  "  I 
would  wish  to  be  able  to  describe  to  my  best  friend 
all  that  is  passing  in  my  soul ;  but  it  is  impossible  to 
do  it  by  letter.  I  am  following  your  advice,  and 
hope  never  deserts  me.  We  must  not  be  discouraged, 
for  we  have  a  powerful  Protectress.  I  unceasingly 
endeavor  to  be  resigned,  and  pray  God  to  make 
known  to  me  his  designs.  Such  is  the  position,  I 
believe,  in  which  you  have  advised  me  to  keep  my- 
self." 

From  this  moment,  Vincent  was  wholly  absorbed 
in  his  ideas  of  giving  himself  to  God ;  all  his  re- 
flections were  directed  to  that  point.  But  the  arch- 
enemy of  the  human  race,  who  never  loves  noble  and 
generous  resolutions,  and  those,  above  all,  that  tend 
to  snatch  from  him  his  victims,  delayed  not  to  raise 
up  difficulties  and  obstacles.  When,  however,  he  felt 
his  courage  failing,  he  instantly — (according  to  his 
own  expression) — shut  the  gate  against  all  discouraging 
and  backsliding  thoughts.  "My  aim,"  he  used  to 
say,  "  my  aim  is  too  noble,  the  career  I  sec  opened 
before  mc,  too  glorious,  to  be  renounced  so  easily ; 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    ErHRAIM.  113 

the  happiness  of  my  present  and  future  life  is  "wound 
up  in  it." — Again,  Mi'itiug  to  his  director,  he  says: 
"  I  trust  myself  fully  to  you ;  you  must  be  my  good 
angel,  and  must  direct  me  on  the  road  that,  as  I  firmly 
believe,  I  am  called  to  pursue.  You  shall  think  for 
me,  act  for  me,  and  pray  for  me;  and,  as  I  believe 
myself  animated  by  good  intentions,  I  am  confident 
that  the  Lord  will  favor  my  desires.  I  sometimes 
fear,  that  it  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  realize  my 
project,  so  much  do  I  feel  myself  unworthy  of  so  much 
happiness;  but  then,  when  I  reflect,  that  I  have 
placed  everything  in  your  hands,  I  am  comforted. 
Pray  for  me." 
10* 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

VINCENT  ACQUAINTS  niS  PARENTS  WITH  HIS  DESIGN  OF  QUITTING  THE 
WORLD.  HIS  PARENTS  ARE  VIOLENTLY  OPPOSED  TO  IT.  FAMILY 
MISFORTUNES  EFFECTUALLY  DETACH  HIS  HEART  FROM  THE  WORLD, 
AND    STRENGTHEN    HIS   VOCATION   FOR   A   RELIGIOUS   LIFE. 

No  one,  at  least  no  one  of  those  who  were  at  all 
concerned,  knew  of  the  things  passing  between  Vin- 
cent and  his  dear  friend  and  director,  the  curate  of 
St.  James'.  His  family,  however,  and  all  his  intimate 
acquaintances  were  not  long  in  noticing  so  extraordi- 
nary a  change.  He  who  a  little  before  was  the  soul 
of  mirth  and  laughter,  who  might  always  be  found  in 
every  party  of  pleasure,  and  who  made  one  of  its 
chief  ornaments,  seemed  now  to  avoid  the  company  of 
his  most  intimate  friends,  becoming  all  at  once  grave 
and  reflective,  and  mixing  no  more  in  society.  His 
parents  observed,  that,  contrary  to  his  custom,  he  now 
practised  all  the  duties  of  a  Christian;  that  he 
said  his  prayers,  morning  and  evening,  with  the 
greatest  spiritual  abstraction  ;  and  that  his  demeanor 
in  church  was  devout  and  exemplary :  all  this  was  not 
displeasing  to  them ;  but  then,  he  appeared  so  full  of 
abstraction,  frequently  absenting  himself  from  home, 
without  giving  any  excuse,  and  enveloping  his  conduct 
in  an  air  of  mystery ;  all  this  gave  them  some  uneasi- 
ness.— Vincent,  on  his  part,  knowing  the  affection  his 
parents  entertained  for  him,  was  well  aware  that  some 
explanation  was  needful ;  besides,  he  was  tired  of  con- 
(114) 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  115 

centrating  in  his  own  bosom  a  project  that  so  much 
concerned  him.  lie,  therefore,  resolved  to  feel  his 
way.  He  first  addressed  himself  to  his  mother,  and 
acquainted  her  with  the  resolution  he  had  formed,  of  re- 
nouncing the  world,  and  of  dedicating  himself  to  the 
service  of  God  in  a  cloister.  Madame  Ferrer  did  not 
appear  at  first  to  pay  much  attention  to  this  communi- 
cation of  her  son ;  she,  however,  deemed  it  prudent  to 
acquaint  her  husband.  Coupling  this  declaration  to 
the  kind  of  life  lately  led  by  their  beloved  son,  both 
began  to  believe  that  the  matter  was  becoming  serious ; 
and  when  they  calculated  the  whole  extent  of  the  con- 
sequences such  a  resolution  must  necessarily  produce 
upon  the  future  existence  of  their  family, — Vincent 
being  an  only  son,  and  consequently  the  main  prop  of 
its  duration — they  became  greatly  alarmed,  and  re- 
solved to  do  all  in  their  power  to  turn  him  away  from 
the  execution  of  it.  In  pursuance  of  this  plan,  they 
made  use  of  every  means  to  procure  him  amusements, 
and  to  bring  him  back  to  a  lov  for  society.  They 
secretly  begged  his  friends  to  engage  him  in  parties 
of  pleasure,  and  to  endeavor  to  involve  him  in  worldly 
pursuits.  Vincent,  on  the  other  hand,  clearly  laid 
open  his  intentions:  he  loudly  cried  out,  that  "he 
had  but  too  much  loved  the  world,  and  relished  its 
pleasures ;  that,  happily,  God  had  made  him  see  the 
error  of  his  ways ;  and  that,  with  the  assistance  of 
divine  grace,  all  attempts  to  bring  him  back  to  worldly 
desires,  would  be  fruitless."  Every  one,  even  his  very 
sister,  entered  into  a  conspiracy,  in  order  to  change 
his  resolution ;  the  latter  deeming  the  opportunity  too 
good  to  be  allowed  to  pass  by,  without  being  avenged 


116  LIFE   OP   FATHER   MARIA   EPERAIM. 

for  the  witticisms  her  brother  had  inflicted  upon  her 
some  time  before.  She  now,  in  turn,  endeavored  to 
throw  an  air  of  ridicule  over  his  projects,  and  brought 
into  play  all  the  little  arts  in  her  power,  to  turn  him 
away  from  them. 

God  was  the  author  of  all  the  changes  to  which  his 
servant  had  been  subjected;  He  was,  above  all,  the 
author  of  the  project  which  now  occupied  his  mind ; 
in  good  time,  the  same  God  will  bring  it  to  a  happy 
execution,  notwithstanding  all  obstacles  that  may  be 
raised  against  it ;  and  in  case  of  need,  he  will  bestow 
upon  his  servant  an  increase  of  His  divine  grace,  by 
which  he  will  be  strengthened  against  every  tempta- 
tion. The  very  common  events  of  life  are  frequently, 
in  the  hands  of  God,  used  as  the  agents  of  His  divine 
will. 

Whilst  things  in  the  Ferrer  family  were  thus  pro- 
ceeding, one  of  Vincent's  female  cousins  falls  sick  and 
dies.  He  felt  a  great  affection  for  this  young  person  ; 
he  prayed  for  her,  and  besought  the  prayers  of  others 
on  her  behalf.  Death  is  always  more  or  less  striking; 
it  strikes  with  redoubled  force,  when  it  is  premature, 
or  when  it  takes  away  some  one  with  whom  we  are  in- 
timately connected.  All  these  circumstances  came  to- 
gether on  the  present  occasion ;  they  made  a  due  im- 
pression upon  the  heart  of  our  young  convert,  and  had 
no  slight  tendency  to  detach  him  still  farther  from 
the  false  splendors  of  the  world,  so  apt  to  be  lost 
even  in  the  most  flourishing  season  of  youth,  and  to 
strengthen  him  in  his  vocation.  But  this  was  not  the 
only  lesson  he  now  received  on  the  part  of  heaven.  His 
mother,  his  dearly  beloved  mother,  falls  sick  also  ;  her 


LIFE   OF  FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM.  117 

sickness  in  a  short  time  makes  frightful  progress ;  all 
assistance  is  lavished  in  vain:  after  six  ^Yeeks  of 
intense  suffering,  she  is  no  more.  Madame  Ferrer 
carried  with  her  to  the  tomb  the  regrets  of  all  her 
neighbors,  and  the  heartfelt  esteem  of  all  her  ac- 
quaintances, who  regretted  and  venerated  in  her  the 
qualities  of  an  accomplished  woman  ;  her  children  and 
relations,  above  all,  felt  her  death,  as  a  most  severe 
infliction.  The  veneration  which  her  children,  after 
having  embraced  the  religious  state,  entertained  for 
the  virtues  of  their  mother,  whose  memory  was  always 
most  dear  to  them,  leaves  little  doubt  on  our  mind, 
that  she  was  one  of  the  elect.  She  had,  perhaps,  too 
much  condescendence,  too  much  weakness  in  regard  to 
her  children,  when  they  began  to  move  in  the  world ; 
but  these  faults  were  fully  atoned  for  by  her  intense 
sufferings,  endured  with  Christian  patience  during  her 
last  sickness. 

This  infliction  was  terribly  felt  by  the  Ferrer  family : 
the  father  was  totally  cast  down ;  the  two  children  in- 
consolable. The  loss  of  a  mother  so  justly  and  so 
tenderly  loved,  gave  the  finishing  stroke  to  Vincent's 
resolution.  Better  than  ever,  he  now  appreciated  at 
their  just  value,  both  the  nothingness  of  the  happiness 
apparently  enjoyed  for  a  few  moments  by  indulging 
in  earthly  affections,  and  the  vanity  of  the  goods  pur- 
sued by  the  world  with  so  much  anxiety.  He  became 
fully  aware  of  their  inability  to  satisfy  the  cravings 
of  the  human  heart.  It  served  to  completely  break 
whatever  tics  still  bound  him  to  the  world.  Hence- 
forward he  united  himself  more  closely  with  God,  and 
was  most  fervent  in  his  prayers  to  that  Giver  of  all 


118  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

good,  In  order  to  obtain  from  Him  the  grace  of  succeed- 
ing in  the  design  he  so  long  meditated.  His  piety 
and  fervor  were  redoubled ;  he  found  no  consolation 
in  this  world,  except  whilst  buried  in  profound  adora- 
tion of  God ;  he  was  pouring  forth  in  his  presence  all 
the  affections  of  his  soul.  His  assiduity  and  devo- 
tional demeanor  at  the  parish-church  were  most  re- 
markable, and  tended  not  a  little  to  the  edification  of 
all  beholders. 

When  the  first  pangs  of  grief  for  the  death  of  his 
mother  were  a  little  abated,  Vincent  respectfully 
sought  an  interview  with  his  father,  and  repeated  to 
him  his  resolution  of  embracing  the  life  of  the  cloister, 
humbly  asking,  at  the  same  time,  his  consent.  At  this 
new  declaration,  Mons.  Ferrer,  contrary  to  his  usual 
custom,  (for  he  is  a  gentleman*  of  peaceable  manners, 
and  endowed  by  nature  with  great  easiness  of  dispo- 
sition,) became  highly  exasperated ;  he  spoke  harshly 
to  his  son,  opposed  a  formal  refusal  to  his  desires,  and 
told  him  that,  "  Were  he  to  consent  to  any  such  pro- 
ject, he  could  only  do  so  in  permitting  him  to  become 
a  secular  priest ;  but  that,  in  reality,  he  was  as  m'uch 
opposed  to  the  one  as  to  the  other."  This  refusal 
saddened  the  heart  of  our  persevering  young  man,  but 
it  did  not  cause  him  to  lose  all  courage.  He  confided 
the  whole  to  his  spiritual  director,  in  order  to  obtain 

*  Whether  this  estimable  man  is  still  living  (1851),  the  transla- 
tor has  no  means  of  ascertaining;  it  is,  however,  probable  that  he 
still  continues  to  edify  the  public  of  Perpignau  by  his  virtues,  and 
to  enjoy  the  well-deserved  esteem  of  his  friends  and  acquaintances. 
Severely  has  he  been  chastened  ;  but  from  what  we  know  of  him, 
he  is  the  very  kind  of  person  that  would  humbly  kiss  the  chasten- 
ing hand. 


LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  119 

his  advice ;  he  was  careful  to  be  most  strict  in  his  re- 
ligious duties,  and  most  regular  in  his  conduct,  hoping 
thereby  to  obtain  from  heaven  that  efficacious  grace, 
that  heavenly  benediction,  of  which  it  was  foreshown 
to  Iiim,  he  would  soon  stand  in  the  greatest  need. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

VINCENT  IS  OBLIGED  TO  STJEFER  MANT  ATTACKS  ON  HIS  VOCATION. 
DrVERS  PERSONS  ARE  EXPRESSLY  SENT  TO  REASON  AND  ARGUE  WITH 
HIM.      HIS    FATHER   FORCES    HIM   TO    TAKE    A   TOUR   TO   PARIS. 

In  the  mean  time,  Mens.  Ferrer,  still  cast  down  by 
the  death  of  his  beloved  wife,  was  farther  alarmed  by 
the  constancy  of  his  son.  He  feared,  that  he  would 
be  obliged  to  lose  him  also.  This  idea  terrified  him, 
and  he  resolved  to  exert  every  means  to  break  his  re- 
solution. He  sought  the  assistance  of  all  those  who, 
he  believed,  had  any  ascendency  over  the  mind  of  his 
son,  and  sent  them  to  reason  with  him.  He  also  en- 
deavored to  enlist  on  his  side  the  Abbe  G  *  *  *  . 
That  good  ecclesiastic,  without,  however,  compro- 
mising his  sacred  ministry,  did  all  in  his  power  to  try 
the  vocation  of  his  young  penitent,  and  to  discover, 
whether  it  may  not  proceed  from  the  first  movements 
of  fervor,  or  from  the  wanderings  of  a  heated  and 
lively  imagination ;  but  all  his  attempts,  on  that  score, 
only  tended  to  confirm  his  former  persuasion,  that  it 
was  really  the  work  of  God.  The  intervention  of 
Monsigneur  de  Saunhiac,  Bishop  of  Perpignan,  was 
also  solicited,  in  order  to  throw  into  the  scale  of 
opposition  the  episcopal  authority.  That  pious  and 
venerable  prelate  would  wish  to  be  excused  from  a 
commission  which  he  looked  upon  as  incompatible 
with  his  ofiicial  character ;  yet,  through  consideration 
for  Mens.  Ferrer,  whom  he  esteemed,  and  whose 
position  he  deplored,  he  thought  himself  called  upon 
(120) 


LIFE   OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPURAIxM.  121 

to  speak  seriously  and  paternally  to  the  young  man, 
to   represent  to   him  the  desolation  in  which   he  was 
about  to  plunge  his  father,  who  founded  all  his  hopes, 
and  the  future  existence  of  his  family,  upon  his  per- 
son ;  he  observed  to  him,  that  he  should,  before  putting 
his  design  in  execution,  carefully  examine,  whether 
God  demanded  so  great  a  sacrifice. 
^  Against  all  these  attempts  Vincent  remained   con- 
stant and  firm  in  his  vocation.     Persuasion  and  oppo- 
sition proving  ineffectual,  Mens.  Ferrer  was  advised 
to  send  his  son  on  a  pleasure  excursion,  and  to  oblige 
him  to  remain  some  months  at  Paris.     It  was  natu- 
rally supposed,  that  the  distractions  of  the  journey 
would  have  an  effectual  influence  upon  him,  and  work 
a  powerful  change  in  his  intentions.     Mons.  Ferrer 
relished  the  advice,  and  clung  to  it  as  his  last  hope. 
Summoning,  therefore,  his  son  to  his  presence,   he 
addressed  him  in  nearly  the  following  words :  "  My 
son,  you  are  yet  too  young  to  be  able  to  decide  de- 
finitely, what  kind  of  life  you  are  most  adapted  for. 
You  have  now  finished  your  studies,  and  are  at  the 
eve  of  entering  some  career.     It  now  remains  for  you 
to  put  actually  in  practice,  what  other  young  men  of 
your  rank  and  fortune  deem  indispensable  to  a  com- 
plete education  ;  you  must  travel  for  seme  time  ;  you 
must  go  and  see  many  things,  of  which  you  are  now 
ignorant,  and  which  will  enlarge  your  ideas :  at  the 
present  time,  and  according  to  the  present  manner  of 
thinking,  education  is  not  completed,  till  after  having 
visited  the  Capital.     My  wish  therefore  is,  that  you 
make  ready,  and  proceed  to  Paris,  there  to  pass  some 
months.     It  shall  be  my  care  to  provide  the  necessary 
11 


122  LIFE    OF    FATHEK    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

funds  to  enable  you  to  travel  at  your  ease,  and  as 
becomes  your  rank ;  trusting  to  your  own  prudence 
and  wisdom,  that  the  confidence  I  place  in  you  will 
never  be  abused,  or  meet  with  anything,  on  your  part, 
tending  to  betray  it." 

His  father's  will  was  always  a  law  to  Vincent ;  on 
the  present  occasion,  he  obeyed  with  the  greater 
alacrity,  inasmuch  as  there  was  nothing  in  the  pro- 
posed journey  incompatible  with  his  own  project ;  but, 
on  the  contrary,  it  may  be  made  the  means  of  its  exe- 
cution. Having  therefore  first  asked  the  advice  of 
his  director,  and  recommended  himself  to  his  prayers, 
he  embraced  his  father  and  sister,  and  set  out  for 
Paris  on  the  18th  of  November,  1837. 

It  was  purely  to  please  his  father,  that  Vincent 
undertook  this  journey;  to  please  him  still  farther, 
he  was  careful  to  observe  every  curiosity  that  came 
in  his  way,  for  he  knew  that  it  was  his  father's  wishes, 
that  he  should  join  instruction  to  amusement.  He 
was,  accordingly,  very  exact  in  rendering  an  account 
of  all  he  saw.  He  wrote  for  this  purpose  many  letters 
that  were  so  many  details  of  his  adventures.  He  in- 
serted in  his  correspondence  all  the  minute  incidents 
of  his  journey,  described  in  an  easy  and  flowing  style. 
Far  from  finding  such  details  tiresome,  a  stranger, 
even  now,  would  find  them  interesting :  it  may  be  then 
easily  imagined,  with  what  pleasure  they  were  read  by 
his  father  and  sister,  and  more  especially,  when  it  is 
taken  into  consideration,  that  everything  coming  from 
an  absent  loved  one,  becomes  doubly  dear.  He  seemed, 
indeed,  by  his  care  and  punctuality  in  informing  his 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARTA    EPIIRAIM.  123 

friends  of  all  he  heard  and  saw,  to  be  travelling  more 
on  their  account,  than  on  his  own. 

His  first  letter  is  from  Narbonne.  It  contains  a 
long  account  of  the  curiosities  of  that  ancient  city. 
He  also  describes  in  a  spirited  manner,  and  in  the 
tone  of  a  connossieur,  the  delicate  and  elegant  carvings 
of  the  beautiful  church  of  St.  Justus.  He  stopped 
but  a  short  time  at  Toulouse  ;  having  already,  during 
his  studies,  become  well  acquainted  with  everything 
worth  seeing  in  that  town :  his  stay  at  Bordeaux  was, 
however,  longer.  He  describes  the  latter  as  a  large 
city,  and  in  order  to  give  his  friends  some  idea  of  its 
extent,  he  says  that  Bordeaux  is  to  Toulouse,  what 
Perpignan  is  to  Espyra,  their  village. 

A  poor  young  man,  of  a  lively  and  gay  disposition, 
animated  with  ardent  desires,  and  the  spirit  of  curi- 
osity, is  generally  desirous  of  seeing  everything,  and  of 
knowing  everything,  especially  if  he  has  the  means  of 
indulging  his  inclinations.  Launched,  without  a  guide, 
into  the  midst  of  so  large  a  city  as  Paris,  he  is  at 
least  exposed  to  the  danger  of  losing  his  love  for 
virtue,  and  of  assuming  the  airs  and  maxims  of  the 
world :  such  was  the  very  idea  entertained  by  Mons. 
Ferrer.  But  his  son  was  so  fortunate  as  to  take  pre- 
cautions against  the  latter,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to 
preserve  the  former.  He  did  all  in  his  power  to 
satisfy  the  wishes  of  his  father  ;  but  he  knew  at  what 
place  to  stop,  when  arrived  at  the  precincts  of  evil. 
He  never  sacrificed  his  conscience,  well  knowing  that 
his  peace  of  mind  was  at  stake. 

"  Here  I  am,"  he  says,  writing  to  his  relations, 
"here  I  am  arrived  at  the  end  of  my  journey.     Shall 


124  LIFE    OF,  FATUER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

I  tell  you  what  kind  of  life  I  lead  at  Paris,  in  this 
great  city,  the  centre  of  all  pleasures,  as  well  as  of 
business ;  where  everything  is  brilliant  and  magni- 
ficent, fairy-like,  and  magical?  Well,  then,  in  this 
great  city,  I,  an  unknown  individual,  observe  and  re- 
flect  I  have  forgot  to  say,  that  I  am  con- 
tinually straying  about,  and  this  is  my  principal  oc- 
cupation ;  so  that  I  may  be  mistaken  for  the  Wander- 
ing Jew,  only  that  I  have  a  fuller  purse  than  he  is 
reported  to  have.  I  leave  no  corner  of  the  city  un- 
examined; from  the  Barriere  de  I'Etoile  to  La  Salpe- 
triere,  from  the  Observatoire  to  Pere  La  Chaise,  I 
explore  everything." 

His  voluminous  correspondence  from  Paris,  speaks 
of  everything  remarkable  contained  in  that  Capital. 
He  was  enabled,  by  the  assistance  of  his  friends,  to 
procure  a  medal  of  Deputy;  by  means  of  this  species 
of  universal  pass,  which  he  showed  with  all  the  gravity 
of  a  National  Representative,  he  was  permitted  to 
assist  at  many  ceremonies,  from  which  he  would  be 
otherwise  excluded.  About  this  time,  the  funeral 
obsequies  in  honor  of  General  Damremont,  were  cele- 
brated at  the  church  of  the  Invalids,  and  he  had  the 
pleasure  of  being  installed  in  one  of  the  best  places 
of  honor.  He  assisted  also  at  many  meetings  of  tho 
Chamber  of  Deputies ;  he  saw,  at  a  short  distance, 
nearly  all  the  members  of  the  royal  family;  in  fine, 
he  saw  enough  to  satisfy  the  curiosity  of  the  greatest 
lover  of  sicrht-seeinni;. 

But  in  the  midst  of  all  this,  he  knew  how  to  pre- 
serve himself  from  evil ;  and  in  all  these  subjects  of 
distraction,  wherein  many  others  would  have  run  into 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MART  A    EPIIRAIM,  125 

dissipation,  and  lost  thcrasdves  hopelessly,  ho  dis- 
covered the  secret  of  eliciting  good.  By  seeing  the 
world,  the  great  world,  at  a  shorter  distance,  he 
learned  to  know  it  better,  and  this  very  knowledge 
served  to  inspire  him  with  greater  disgust  for  it. 
Writing  to  his  dear  confessor,  he  says,  "  My  sojourn 
at  Paris  will  be  of  great  advantage  to  me,  I  hope. 

People  entertain  a  false  notion  of  Paris ; 

there  is  not  a  city  in  the  world,  where  a  person  can 
live  with  more  regularity,  if  he  be  so  inclined,  and 
where  he  has  less  to  fear,  if  he  knows  how  to  fortify 
himself  against   dangerous    temptations.     I   love,    I 

assure  you,  the  manner  of  living  here, One 

enjoys  perfect  liberty,  and  docs  whatever  is  most 
pleasing  to  one's  self,  and  no  person  thinks  of  con- 
tradicting or  censuring.  There  is  less  strength  needed 
here  to  be  virtuous,  than  in  our  small  towns  and  vil- 
lages, where  each  of  your  actions  is  judged  and  com- 
mented on.  For  this  reason,  I  hope  to  carry  back 
with  me  from  Paris,  a  good  store  of  strong  resolu- 
tions." Those  resolutions  were  drawn  from  a  pure 
source ;  for,  in  the  same  letter  to  Abbe  G.  *  *  *,  he 
informs  him  that,  according  to  his  recommendation, 
he  passed  much  of  his  time  with  the  Lazarist  Fathers. 
One  of  his  friends  made  reiterated  efforts  to  draw 
him  to  the  theatre,  but  always  v/ithout  success ;  for 
lie  knew  that  sound  morality,  as  well  as  religion,  re- 
proves and  condemns  such  representations.  On  this 
subject,  he  thus  gives  his  views,  in  one  of  his  letters 
to  his  family  :  "  On  the  subject  of  theatres,  you 
should  be  resigned  to  hear  nothing  from  me ;  many 
others  of  your  friends  will  tell  you  all  about  them. 
11* 


126  LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

My  manner  of  thinking  with  regard  to  them,  may 
appear  extraordinary,  perhaps  ridiculous,  to  certain 
people ; — but,  how  can  I  help  it  ?  Upon  this,  as  upon 
many  other  points,  each  one  has  his  own  opinions  and 
maxims.  One  of  my  friends,  to  whom  I  had  a  letter 
of  introduction,  strongly  insisted  upon  taking  me  to  a 
theatrical  representation.  Though  pained  at  being 
obliged  to  refuse,  I  yet  could  not  give  my  consent. 
Besides,  there  is  great  danger  in  frequenting  the 
theatres  at  Paris ;  one  runs  the  risk  of  being  burnt 
alive.  On  the  night  of  the  14th  inst.,  the  theatre 
called  '  Les  Italiens'  took  fire ;  the  conflagration  was 
almost  instantaneous,  and  raged  with  the  greatest  in- 
tensity. In  a  few  hours,  both  it  and  the  surrounding 
houses  were  consumed.  Fortunately,  or  rather  provi- 
dentially, the  fire  took  place  after  the  night's  per- 
formance; consequently,  the  theatre  was  empty.' 


CHAPTER  X. 

VINCENT  QtriTS  PARIS  ON  HIS  RETURN  TO  PERPIGNAN.  HE  PASSES 
THROUGH  LYONS.  HE  IS  SEIZED  WITH  A  DESIRE  OP  VISITING  THE 
ABBEY   OF   AI6UEBELLE.      GOD    DETAINS   HIM   THERE. 

After  a  sojourn  of  six  weeks  at  Paris,  Vincent 
thought  that  it  was  useless  for  him  to  remain  any 
longer.  He  had  fulfilled  all  the  wishes  of  his  father, 
and  he  now  thought  it  full  time  to  return.  Separation 
had  caused  him  moments  of  great  pain,  and  so  great 
was  his  attachment  to  his  father  and  sister,  that  he 
could  not  live  for  any  length  of  time  at  a  distance 
from  them.  But  in  order  to  make  some  addition  to 
what  he  had  already  seen,  he  resolved  to  return  to  Per- 
pignan  by  a  diflferent  route.  He  accordingly  passed 
through  Burgundy  and  Lyons,  where  he  sojourned 
some  time  to  see  the  curiosities  of  the  city.  He  was 
mostly  struck  by  the  easy  manners  and  devotional 
feelings  of  the  population  of  Lyons. 

And  now,  my  dear  readers,  Vincent  is  approaching, 
is  at  the  doorway,  on  the  steps  of  his  future  home. 
During  his  sojourning  at  Paris,  he  did  not  appear  to 
be  much  occupied  with  the  idea  of  his  being  called  by 
God  to  an  extraordinary  plan  of  life ;  his  manner  of 
travelling  differed  little  from  that  which  any  other 
young  man  of  his  rank  would  use  for  amusement.  He 
did  not  seek  to  profit  by  his  freedom  from  restraint, 
and  carry  into  execution  his  resolution  of  quitting  the 
world.     But  this  very  thing  was  maturing  elsewhere, 

(127) 


128  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

in  heaven;  everything  was  preparing  to  seize  upon 
this  young  heart,  and  lead  it  insensibly  to  the  execu- 
tion of  the  designs  of  Divine  Providence.  No  one 
was  aware,  Vincent  himself  did  not  suspect  that  this 
journey  would  conduct  him  to  the  very  end  which  had 
already  been  decreed  by  the  Most  High.         ; 

Arrived  at  Montelimart,  our  traveller  feels  himself 
strongly  inspired  to  proceed  no  farther,  until  he  had 
first  visited  the  monastery  of  Aiguebelle.  An  invisible 
power  drags  him  towards  this  spot,  where  hearts  formed 
for  the  world  and  in  the  world,  hearts  agitated  for- 
merly like  his  own,  that  vainly  sought  calm  and  happi- 
ness elsewhere,  now  breathe  at  ease  in  this  delicious  soli- 
tude, the  pure  uir  of  the  desert. — But  let  us  allow  him- 
self to  relate  this  important  circumstance  of  his  life : 
"You  believe  me,  perhaps,"  he  says,  writing  to  his 
father,  "  nearer  to  you  than  I  really  am.  It  is  true,  I 
thought  to  be  at  Perpignan  ere  now,  but  I  have  stopped 
on  the  road.  AVhen  at  Montelimart,  I  was  seized  with 
a  desire  of  visiting  the  Trappist  monastery,  a  few  leagues 
distant  from  that  town.  As  I  was  unacquainted  with 
the  road,  it  fortunately  came  into  my  mind  to  ask  direc- 
tions from  the  parish-priest  of  Montelimart.  I  begged 
him  to  point  out  the  way  to  the  monastery,  and  to 
take  charge  of  my  baggage  until  my  return.  I  was 
fortunate  in  my  application,  for  the  Abbe  Tourdan, 
who  is,  at  the  same  time,  parish-priest  of  Montelimart, 
and  vicar-general  of  the  diocese  of  Valence,  gave  a 
most  kind  reception.  He  offered  to  show  me  the  way 
himself,  and  actually  had  the  kindness  to  accompany 
me  to  a  convent  of  Trappist  nuns,  at  a  place  called 
Maubcc,  one  hour's  journey  from  Montelimart.    Thence 


LIFE   OP   FATHER    MARIA   EPHRAIM.  129 

\o  ray  place  of  destination,  the  way  was  not  difficult ; 
unaccompanied,  I  proceeded  towards  the  abbey,  where 
I  arrived  after  a  walk  of  a  few  hours.  Some  crosses 
bearing  inscriptions,  planted  at  intervals  on  the  route, 
announced  its  proximity.  I  found  the  gate  closed  ;  I 
rapped  at  it  with  a  sort  of  religious  awe,  not  unmixed 
with  tremor." 

Vincent  was  received  with  all  the  ceremony  pre- 
scribed by  the  rule.  The  brother  who  had  charge  of 
the  gate,  opened  it,  and  immediately  fell  on  his  knees 
before  him,  saying :  Benedicite,  as  if  to  ask  his 
blessing.  The  same  brother,  making  him  a  sign  to 
follow,  led  him  into  a  small  room  destined  for  the  re- 
ception of  strangers,  and  immediately  went  to  give 
notice,  by  three  strokes  on  a  bell,  of  his  visit  to  the 
two  brothers,  who  are  charged  with  the  receptiqn  of 
those  that  visit  the  monastery.  Whilst  waiting  their 
coming,  he  was  invited  to  read  a  card  attached  to  the 
wall,  on  which  was  written  an  abridgment  of  the  con- 
duct visitors  were  expected  to  observe  during  their 
stay  at  this  house  of  silence  and  prayer. 

Scarcely  had  he  time  to  run  his  eyes  over  the  card, 
and  to  read  some  sentences  written  in  large  letters  on 
the  walls,  when  he  saw  religious  extended  full  length 
at  his  feet.  Arising  from  that  posture,  they  made  a 
low  bow,  and  without  uttering  a  word,  conduct  him 
through  a  long  porch  to  the  church,  in  order  that  he 
may  adore  the  blessed  Sacrament.  After  a  few  min- 
utes spent  in  prayer,  they  conduct  him  back  by  the 
same  way  to  the  forementioned  room,  where  one  of 
them  read  aloud  to  him  a  few  sentences  from  a  book 
of  devotion.     This  finished,  they  give  him  over  to  the 


130  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

care  of  the  brother  appointed  to  take  care  of  the  guests, 
and  who  is  called  for  that  reason  the  ^'^iiotelier"  or 
^^entertainer  of  strangers."  This  brother,  in  a  re- 
spectful manner,  inquires  "  whom  he  has  the  honor  to 
receive ;  what  is  the  motive  of  his  visit ;  is  it  to  pass 
some  days  in  the  monastery,  to  make  a  spiritual  re- 
treat ;  or  simply  to  make  a  passing  visit  to  the 
house?"  To  these  questions,  which  he  soon  saw  were 
not  dictated  by  curiosity,  Vincent  thought  it  sufficient 
to  exhibit  his  passport,  adding  that  he  wished  to  pass  a 
few  days  in  the  community,  if  he  could  obtain  such  a 
privilege.  The  Hotelier  then  conducted  him  to  the 
apartments  destined  for  strangers,  and  assigned  him  a 
small  chamber,  very  modest,  in  truth,  yet  also  neat  and 
clean.  The  furniture  was  adapted  to  the  chamber :  a 
small  bed,  a  little  table,  a  Crucifix,  an  image  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  a  few  pious  books,  a  chair,  and  pens, 
ink,  and  paper ;  all  very  simple  and  plain,  doubtlessly, 
but  very  appropriate  and  well  arranged ;  all,  in  fine, 
that  is  needful  to  one  coming  into  such  a  solitude, 
whether  to  make  a  spiritual  retreat,  or  for  a  simple 
visit  of  edification. — "  This  is  the  chamber  you  are  to 
occupy,"  said  the  good  brother,  with  politeness  and 
affability  manifest  in  all  his  movements ;  "  but,  perhaps, 
sir,  you  need  some  refreshment  ?  Whilst  waiting  for 
the  usual  hour  of  repast,  allow  me  to  offer  you  some 
refreshment."  Vincent  answered  that  he  stood  in 
need  of  nothing  but  repose.  "You  can,"  continued 
his  host,  "  you  can  command  me  in  everything ;  it  is 
my  duty  to  see  to  your  wants,  and  I  shall  feel  obliged 
whenever  you  grant  me  the  privilege  of  being  in  any 
way  serviceable  to  you." 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPURAIM.  131 

Vincent  was  now  left  alone  for  a  few  moments ;  a 
crowd  of  thoughts  came  to  lay  siege  to  his  poor  heart. 
All  that  he  had  seen  made  a  deep  impression  upon 
him ;    those  religious,  whose  long   and  amply  wide 
tunics  rendered  them  so  extraordinary  to  his  eyes, 
appeared  still  more  so  by  that  air  of  venerable  piety, 
mixed  with  candor,  good  nature  and  ardent  charity, 
so  manifest  in  their  looks  and  actions.     He  had  met 
some  of  them,  whilst  passing  from  the  reception  room 
to  the  church ;  they  seemed  weighed  down  by  years 
and  virtues ;  they  had  made  him  so  low  a  bow,  an  in- 
clination almost  to  the  earth,  and  saluting  him  not 
through  deceitful  politeness,  but  as  brothers  bidding 
"  God  speed"  to  a  brother  in  Jesus  Christ.    When  he 
reflected  upon  their  age  and  virtues,  his  own  youth 
and  unworthiness — everything,  in  fine,  he  had  seen 
and  heard  crowding  on  his  mind,  threw  him  into  a 
state  of  stupefaction. 

In  the  same  letter  to  his  father,  of  which  we  have 
already  given  the  commencement,  he  thus  continues : 
*'I  rapped  at  the  gate  of  the  monastery,  fully  pos- 
sessed with  the  ideas  of  monachism  entertained  by  the 
world.  I  expected  to  find  gloomy  and  austere-looking 
figures,  savage  and  melancholy  men ;  I  found,  on  the 
contrary,  every  countenance  serene  and  gracious ; 
manners  afi"able  and  polite ;  a  cordial  and  afi'ectionate 
reception.  In  fine,  one  cannot  help  being  astonished 
at  the  air  of  nobleness  and  high  breeding,  for  which 
these  happy  religious  are  distinguished."  The  fatted 
calf  was  not,  however,  killed  to  honor  his  reception. 
At  the  Trappist  monasteries,  flesh  meat  is  never 
served  up  to  guests,  whatever  be  their  rank  or  station 


132  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

in  life.  The  rule  expressly  prohibits  it.  Meats  per- 
mitted by  the  church  on  fast-days,  and  days  of  absti- 
nence, frugally  abundant  in  quantity,  suitably  seas- 
oned, and  of  the  best  quality,  are  the  only  provisions, 
except  in  cases  of  sickness,  ever  laid  before  any  one. 
Vincent  had  now  been  resting  himself  some  time, 
and  had  made  himself  acquainted  with  the  regulations 
he  ought  to  observe,  whilst  a  guest  in  the  monastery, 
when  some  one  entered  his  chamber,  to  announce  the 
intended  visit  of  the  Reverend  Father  Superior. 
Ah  !  said  Vincent  to  himself,  now,  at  least,  I  shall  see 
some  one  corresponding  with  my  preconceived  notions 
of  a  Trappist ;  this  Superior  must  necessarily  be  a 
grave  old  man,  of  harsh,  uncouth  manners,  sunk  deep 
in  austerities,  and  expressing  himself  only  in  a  senten- 
tious, dogmatical  manner !  What  then  must  have 
been  his  disappointment,  or  rather  his  agreeable  sur- 
prise, when,  contrary  to  his  expectations,  a  rather 
young  monk  entered  his  chamber,  and  accosted  him 
with  all  that  amenity  of  manners,  and  that  amiable 
simplicity  which  formed  the  distinctive  traits  in  the 
character  of  the  well-beloved  Father  Orsisius,  mitred 
abbot  of  Aiguebelle  ?  A  few  moments'  conversation, 
added  to  so  engaging  a  reception,  opened  our  young 
man's  heart.  In  the  most  artless,  natural  manner, 
he  related  the  greater  part  of  the  events  of  his  past 
life.  He  said  that,  "  for  some  years  past,  he  found 
within  himself  a  void,  that  nothing  could  fill  up  ;  that 
the  world  and  all  its  pleasures  only  inspired  him  with 
disgust ;  that  he  was  continually  hearing  an  internal, 
secret  voice,  prompting  him  to  make  some  great  sacri- 
fice for  the  love  of  God ;  and  that  his  relatives,  in 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  133 

order  to  turn  him  away  from  such  thoughts,  had  pre- 
vailed upon  him  to  undertake  a  journey  to   Paris. 
Finally,  that  being  now  on  his  return,  some  irresistible 
power  had  conducted  him  to  Aiguebelle,  where,  with 
his  permission,  he  wished  to  make  a  retreat  of  a  few 
days."     The  Reverend  Father,  who,  though  young, 
possessed  in  an  eminent  degree  a  knowledge  of  the 
human  heart,  soon  perceived  from  this  short  narrative, 
evident  indications  of  a  right  spirit.     He  was  aware, 
however,  that  prudence  forbade  precipitation.     Dis- 
sembling, therefore,  his  sentiments,  and  contenting 
himself  for  the  present  with  encouraging  him  to  make 
a  retreat,  he  led  him  to  expect  great  consolation  and 
peace  of  mind.     He  assured  him,  moreover,  that  he 
would  do  his  best  to  second  his  designs,  and  after 
having  given  him  some  preparatory  advice  for  the 
exercises,  he  left  him  to  his  own  reflections.    Vincent, 
now  overpowered  with  joy  at  all  he  heard  and  saw, 
felt  himself  entirely  disposed  to  open  his  whole  soul 
to  this  man  of  God,  whom  he  already  loved ;  and  in 
whom  he  had  the  greatest  confidence.     He  had  no 
doubt  but  the  Lord,  in  His  goodness,  had  mercifully 
conducted  him   to  this  Ananias,  that  he  may  learn 
from  him  what  he  should  do.     He  resolved  to  do  his 
best  to  correspond  to  these  merciful  designs,  and  pre- 
pared himself  accordingly,  with  all  due  attention  and 
humility  of  heart,  for  confession. 

He  passed  one  whole  week  in  complete  retirement ; 
conferring  only  with  God  and  his  confessor.  The 
latter  saw  him  frequently,  and  supplied  him  with  books 
proper  for  the  occasion.  Oh  !  were  we  permitted  to 
penetrate  into  the  inmost  recesses  of  Vincent's  heart, 
12* 


134  LIFE  OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPIJRAIM. 

during  this  interval,  of  what  contending  emotions 
•would  it  be  found  the  theatre !  The  world,  with  all  its 
seductive  charms  on  one  side ;  heaven,  with  all  its 
recompenses,  on  the  other  !  His  relatives,  whom  he  so 
much  loved ;  his  poor  father,  whom  he  was  going  to 
plunge  into,  an  agony  of  grief;  his  dearly-beloved 
sister,  who  had  interchanged  with  him  the  solemn 
oath  of  unalterable  affection  ;  in  fine,  all  his  natural 
inclinations  and  affections  arrayed  against  the  power- 
ful attractions  of  divine  grace ;  against  the  grace  of 
that  God,  who  formed  his  heart,  and  who  alone  had 
the  right  to  command  it !  Of  that  God,  who  was  ope- 
rating in  him  and  for  him,  and  who  prescribed  all 
these  sacrifices  only  to  draw  him  to  Himself  exclu- 
sively !  The  contest  was  unequal ;  the  claims  of  God 
were  the  strongest ;  the  noble  courage  of  the  former 
pupil  of  the  Jesuits  burst  forth  anew  in  his  soul,  and 
enabled  him  to  conquer  !  The  road  through  which  it 
was  God's  will  he  should  pass  in  going  to  Him,  was 
now  open  and  before  the  eyes  of  his  soul,  and  he 
resolved  to  pursue  it,  in  spite  of  all  obstacles.  Vin- 
cent's affection  for  his  relatives  was,  however,  too 
strong;  or  rather,  he  considered  it  an  act  of  unpolite- 
ness  and  a  breach  of  respect,  to  break  the  strong  and 
pleasing  ties  that  bound  him  to  them,  without  first 
going  to  bid  them  a  last  adieu.  Perhaps,  also,  he 
deemed  it  impossible  to  die  entirely  to  the  world,  and 
to  bury  himself  in  solitude,  before  he  had  taken  a 
parting  glance  at  the  frivolities  of  mundane  j)leasures, 
and  had  appeared  once  again  in  society. 

The  Reverend  Father  Abbot,  who  had  directed  the 
exercises  of  his  retreat,  plainly  saw  that  this  infant 


LIFE   OP   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  135 

vocation  was  going  to  be  submitted  to  critical  trials, 
and  that  bis  reappearance  in  the  world,  in  the  midst 
of  his  friends  and  relations,  especially,  could  not  fail, 
in  his  present  unstrengthened  state  of  mind,  to  have 
a  baneful  influence  upon  his  determination.  But 
he,  however,  confined  himself  to  giving  advice,  and 
enforcing  caution  on  his  penitent ;  neither  encouraging 
nor  discouraging  his  contemplated  return  to  the  world. 
The  ministry  of  peace  that  he  was  performing  the 
functions  of,  did  not  permit  him  to  go  farther,  in  such 
cases,  than  the  most  circumspect  prudence  would 
warrant;  he  left  him  at  full  liberty  to  take  what 
future  steps  he  might  deem  proper.  He  was,  besides, 
persuaded,  that  if  this  vocation  came  from  heaven — 
of  which  he  had  no  doubt,  himself, — God  was  suffi- 
ciently powerful  to  smooth  all  difficulties,  and  to  con- 
duct, notwithstanding  all  obstacles,  his  creature  to  his 
designed  end. 

Vincent  had  now  finished  his  retreat ;  he  had  his 
mind  made  up  upon  what  G  od  required  of  him ;  that 
is,  that  he  should  devote  himself  entirely  to  his  service, 
and  that  this  sacrifice  should  be  consummated  at 
Aiguebelle.  He  was  going  to  absent  himself  only  for 
a  few  days,  in  order  to  bid  a  last  adieu  to  his  family ; 
and  then  returning  with  all  speed,  he  was  to  offer 
himself  a  holocaust  on  the  altar  of  the  Lord.  He 
had  already  taken  leave  of  the  Father  Abbot,  and 
had  arranged  everything  for  his  departure  the  next 
day,  intending  to  proceed  first  to  Montelimart,  where 
he  had  left  his  baggage,  and  thence  by  stages  to 
Perpignan.— What  delayed  his  departure,  and  finally 
put  it  ofi"  altogether,  will  be  seen  in  the  next  chapter. 


CHAPTER  XL 

CERTAIN  CIRCUMSTANCEU  INDTTCE  VINCENT  TO  REMAIN  AT  AIGTJEBELLE 
ON  THE  DAY  OP  THE  PURIFICATION  OF  THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN.  HOW 
HE  PASSES  THAT  DAY.  THE  SINGING  OF  THE  SALVE  REGINA.  HE 
RENOUNCES    HIS    INTENTION    OF    GOING  TO  TAKE  LEAVE  OF  HIS  FAMILY. 

Meanwhile,  it  was  observed,  in  the  course  of  con- 
versation at  the  strangers'  room,  that  Vincent  was 
leaving  the  monastery  on  a  day — the  2nd  of  Febru- 
•ary,  the  Feast  of  the  Purification  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin — which,  being  spent  wholly  there,  would  con- 
duce greatly  to*  his  edifidation.  The  good  father,  to 
whom  the  care  of  strangers  w\as  committed,  called  his 
attention  to  the  fact,  that  this  festival  was  celebrated 
at  Aiguebelle  with  particular  ceremony  and  devotion  ; 
that  a  postulant  was  about  to  receive  the  habit  also, 
at  which  ceremony  he  would  be  at  liberty  to  assist,  if 
he  had  any  such  desire ;  and  that,  after  all,  a  delay  of 
twenty-four  hours  could  not  much  interfere  with  the 
object  of  his  journey.  Vincent  approved  of  these 
reasons  the  more  willingly,  that,  intending  to  receive 
the  Holy  Communion  on  the  morning  of  that  day,  it 
seemed  to  him  not  altogether  becoming  to  begin  a 
journey  immediately  after,  without  the  greatest  ne- 
cessity. Consequently,  he  deferred  his  departure 
until  the  day  after  the  feast.  Another  circumstance 
also  induced  him  to  this :  a  young  gentleman  from 

Toulouse,  named  Mens.  De  St.  S ,  had  just  arrived 

at  the  monastery,  who  seemed  so  proud  of  having 
(136) 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM,  137 

broken  with  the  world,  and  so  actuated  by  the  ardent 
desire  of  consecrating  himself  to  God  in  the  cloister, 
that  his  presence  and  courageous  deportment  made  a 
deep  impression  upon  his  (Vincent's)  mind ; — an  im- 
pression indeed  not  to  be  easily  effaced. 

This  day  was  to  the  community  of  Aiguebelle  one  of 
heartfelt  delight;  they  are  favored  with  ineffable 
consolations  on  such  days  by  the  august  Mother  of 
their  Saviour ;  it  was  especially  a  happy  day  to 
Vincent,  who  felt  all  his  former  fervor  and  devotion 
towards  this  powerful  Protectress  of  youth,  renewed  ; 
he  did  not  fail  to  receive  an  increase  of  internal  peace 
and  of  holy  resolution  from  his  glorious  Patroness. 

At  high  Mass,  he  witnessed  the  fine  ceremony  of 
the  distribution  of  the  wax-candles.  The  Reverend 
Father  Abbot,  in  full  state,  advances  with  all  his  ofii- 
cers,  and  takes  the  seat  near  the  steps  of  the  Sanctu- 
ary. Around  him,  in  their  proper  places,  are  arranged 
the  ministers  of  the  altar,  and  a  little  in  advance  is 
placed  the  crozier — bearer,  holding  on  high  the  crozier 
— the  emblem  of  abbatial  as  well  as  of  episcopal 
dignity.  Then  all  the  community  advance  in  proces- 
sion towards  the  abbot;  the  priests,  and  choir-brothers 
being  foremost,  each  according  to  his  rank  in  the 
order ;  the  lay-brothers  follow,  each  one  according  to 
his  rank,  also.  All  in  succession  prostrate  themselves 
before  their  superior  in  chief,  and  having  kissed  his 
ring,  they  receive  from  him  a  lighted  wax-candle, 
which  having  kissed,  they  rise  up,  and  continue  the 
procession ;  having  first  made  a  low  bow  to  their  abbot. 
Oh !  what  an  imposing  sight  to  see  those  legions  of 
humble  penitents  thus  advancing  in  perfect  order, 
12* 


138  LIFE   OF    FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

having  no  witnesses  of  their  modesty  and  devotion, 
except  the  angels  of  heaven,  always  present  at  their 
exercises,  and  the  majesty  of  God,  from  whom  alone 
they  expect  any  recompense  !  Everything  spoke  to 
the  heart  of  Vincent;  the  grave  demeanor,  the 
striking  dress  of  the  monks,  the  singing  of  the 
^^ Lumen  ad  revelationem"  so  expressive,  and  at  the 
same  time,  so  analogous  to  the  ceremony;  the  long 
rows  of  lighted  torches,  the  symbol  of  a  Christian's 
faith ;  but,  above  all,  the  angelic  fervor,  and  the  odor 
of  sanctity  breathed  forth  by  those  generous  wrestlers 
of  the  Cross  ;  spoke  a  language  easy  to  be  interpreted. 

In  his  turn,  he  also  presented  himself  to  receive  a 
lighted  torch,  which,  to  his  mind,  seemed  to  make  him 
a  partaker  of  the  virtues  of  the  worthy  religious,  who 
had  preceded  him. 

Towards  the  ending  of  the  Mass,  came  the  other 
so  expressive  ceremony  of  the  Holy  Communion.  0  ! 
I  appeal  to  all  you  who  have  had  the  happiness  of 
witnessing  the  monks  of  La  Trappe  receiving  the 
Holy  Communion ;  is  it  not  true,  that  your  hearts 
have  been  moved  by  such  a  spectacle,  and  that  your 
eyes  have  not  been  free  from  tears  ?  Is  it  not  true, 
that  the  very  recollection  of  such  a  sight  has  the  power 
of  recalling  pleasing  and  delicious  thoughts  to  the 
mind  ?  At  the  moment  of  the  priest's  communion, 
the  deacon,  who  had  been  kneeling  at  his  side,  rises 
to  his  feet,  kisses  with  a  holy  trembling  the  sacred 
altar,  on  which  the  Victim  of  propitiation  is  reposing  ; 
that  Victim — now  about  to  distribute  himself  for  the 
nourishment  of  the  elect  of  Heaven — inclines  himself 
forward  towards  the  neck  of  the  celebrating  priest, 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPERAIM.  139 

and  receives  from  him  the  kiss  of  peace.  As  hereto- 
fore, at  the  institution  of  this  awful  sacrifice,  the 
sovereign  High  Priest — himself  both  priest  and  victim, 
— wished  to  embrace  all  his  disciples  before  admitting 
them  to  the  participation  of  his  adorable  body  and 
blood;  thus  also,  in  the  continuation  of  the  same 
mysteries,  the  deacon,  in  the  name  of  the  celebrating 
priest,  who  never  leaves  the  Holy  of  Holies,  carries 
this  peace  to  the  sub-deacon,  and  through  his  medium, 
to  all  those  approaching  the  divine  banquet.  What 
love  !  what  joy  !  what  happiness  in  those  souls  of  the 
Saviour !  They  follow  him  constantly  in  the  way  of 
the  cross,  to  ascend  with  him  even  to  Calvary ;  and 
it  is  to  indemnify,  and  to  encourage  them  at  the  same 
time,  that  he  often  deigns  to  admit  them  to  the 
delights  of  Thabor.  What  then  must  be  the  rapture, 
with  which  those  souls,  stripped  of  all  earthly  affections, 
are  possessed  at  the  moment,  in  which  they  unite 
themselves  so  intimately  to  the  God  of  Love,  and  of 
all  Consolation ! 

It  is  one  by  one,  that  the  predestined  of  La  Trappe 
present  themselves  to  receive  their  God,  and  in  just 
the  same  order  they  retire  after  receiving  Him. 
Each  one  puts  himself  in  his  place,  according  to  his 
seniority  in  the  monastery ;  never  is  there  any  con- 
fusion, never  the  least  mark  of  forgetfulness.  All 
previously  embrace  in  succession,  as  a  sign  of  the 
brotherly  charity  which  they  had  vowed.  AVhen  the 
deacon  repeats  the  "  Confiteor,''  all  full  on  their  knees, 
with  their  foreheads  nearly  touching  the  floor  of  the 
sanctuary.  In  this  humble  posture,  they  acknowledge 
themselves  unworthy  of  receiving  the  thrice  holy  God, 


140  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MABIA   EPHRAIM. 

and  purify  themselves  by  a  sincere  avowal  of  the 
blemish  as  still  remaining  on  their  souls.  All  then 
rise,  and  the  first  in  order  advances  slowly.  Scarcely 
does  he  see  the  Holy  Host,  elevated  by  the  hands  of 
the  priest,  but  he  prostrates  himself  anew,  to  adore 
it ;  he  then  approaches  with  a  holy  trembling,  receives 
it  with  love,  and  retires  behind  the  altar;  all  the 
others  follow  in  the  same  manner,  and  observe  exactly 
the  same  ceremonies.  The  grave,  modest,  and  col- 
lected deportment  of  the  Trappists,  retiring  after 
having  received  the  Holy  Communion,  is  but  only  a 
continuation  of  this  edifying  and  striking  spectacle. 
They  retire,  passing  from  behind  the  altar,  always  in 
one  single  file,  but  so  slowly,  that  they  seem  motion- 
less. It  may  be  said,  that  their  exterior  senses  all 
wrapped  up,  in  order  to  concentrate  in  the  heart, — 
the  residence  of  their  Beloved, — all  their  afi'ections  ; 
or  that  the  imitation  of  the  wise  precautions  of  the 
bridegroom  of  the  Canticles,  "not  to  unseasonably 
disturb  the  sleep  of  the  bride,  doiiec  ipsa  velit;" 
keeps  them  in  such  holy  rapture.  Vincent  also  fol- 
lowed in  the  single  file  of  this  holy  soldiery ;  he,  for 
the  moment,  imagined  himself  enlisted  among  them. 
Like  the  rest,  he  was  admitted  to  the  feast  of  the 
Lamb  without  blemish,  and  had  the  unspeakable  hap- 
piness of  nourishing  himself  with  the  bread  of  the 


strong. 


All  the  day  was  thus  consecrated  by  pious  exer- 
cises, and  Vincent  experienced  great  spiritual  conso- 
lation. The  God  who  had  given  himself  to  him  with 
such  generosity,  filled  his  heart  with  ardent  love  and 
charity,  and  frequently  during  the  day  did  he  repeat 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  141 

his  thanks  for  being  providentially  detained  at  the 
monastery  on  the  occasion  of  so  great  a  festival. — But 
all  was  not  yet  over :  the  God  of  the  Holy  Com- 
munion, who  is  the  same  God  of  heaven,  exhaustless 
in  his  mercies,  had  not  yet  distributed  all  His  favors ; 
but  reserved  the  most  remarkable  of  them  for  the  end 
of  this  solemn  festival ;  whilst  Mary  herself,  Vincent's 
powerful  Protectress ;  Mary,  who,  that  morning,  at 
the  time  of  the  Holy  Communion,  had  presented  him 
to  her  Son,  as  heretofore,  on  a  similar  day,  she  had 
presented  that  Son  to  God  the  Father,  in  the  temple 
of  Jerusalem, — this  same  Mary,  the  blessed  among 
women,  was  the  distributor. 

The  community  were  now  reunited  for  the  last  ex- 
ercise of  the  evening,  and  Vincent  was  in  the  aisle 
of  the  church,  whence  he  was  able  to  see  the  greater 
part  of  the  choirists,  who  were  then  chaunting  the 
Complins  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  By  the  feeble  light 
of  the  lamp  of  the  Sanctuary,  he  saw  advancing  two 
ghost-like  columns,  which,  with  the  greatest  awe, 
entered  the  choir  through  two  doors,  placed  one  at 
each  side,  at  its  farthest  extremity.  When  these  two 
columns  came  together  opposite  the  Tabernacle,  they 
bent  themselves  towards  the  throne  of  the  Living- 
God,  and  then  proceeded,  in  perfect  order,  to  the 
very  middle  of  the  choir.  These  columns  were  no 
others  than  the  lay-brothers,  who  came  to  join  their 
voices  to  those  of  the  choir-relif2;ious  in  sincrina;  the 
^^  Salve  Reg ina.'"  All  thus  assembled,  choirists  and 
laics,  seemed  like  an  army  arranging  themselves  in 
the  camp  of  the  God  of  Victories,  in  order  to  salute 
before  retreating,  the  powerful  Protectress  of  their 


142  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

combats.  Two  wax  torches,  lighted  before  her  image 
at  the  bottom  of  the  Sanctuary,  revealed  her  august 
presence,  so  full  of  majesty.  All  standing,  and  with 
looks  animated  by  devotion,  the  choir-leader,  at  a 
signal  from  the  Superior,  commences  the  sacred 
hymn ;  and  then  all  the  other  voices  are  raised,  as  one 
lone  cry  to  heaven ;  those  voices  that,  consecrated  to 
silence,  are  never  heard  but  at  the  foot  of  the  altar, 
and  that  have  a  power  to  astonish,  and  to  penetrate 
to  the  inmost  recesses  of  the  soul ;  those  voices  con- 
tinue the  sacred  chaunt  on  the  highest  key,  and  that 
with  so  much  decorum  and  gravity,  as  to  consume  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  in  singing  it. 

How  affecting  are  the  sighs  of  filial  confidence, 
whilst  invoking  a  mother's  tenderness  !  But  how  much 
more  afi'ecting  and  sincere  are  the  prayers  of  those 
exiled  sons  of  Eve,  who,  dead  to  the  world,  are 
groaning  in  this  vale  of  tears:  ^^ Exules  Jilii  JEvoe, 
gementes  et  jientes  in  hac  lacrymarum  voile  !"  Yin- 
cent  could  not  help  uniting  his  own  confidence  to 
theirs ;  he  also  supplicated  her  whom  he  had  so  often 
called  his  ^^good  Mother,''  to  turn  her  looks  full  of 
mercy  towards  him :  "  illos  tuos  muerieordes  oculos 
ad  nos  coiiverte."  But  when  those  voices,  never 
wasted  in  idle  conversation,  came  to  this  three-fold 
exclamation  that  ends  the  sacred  anthem:  ^^Oclemens, 
0  ina,  0  dulcis  Virgo  diai'ia,"  which  they  sang  with 
redoubled  ardor,  he  seemed  to  have  lost  all  external 
feeling;  he  was  completely  rapt  up  in  ecstatic  de- 
light. The  divine  Mary,  "  the  Ravisher  of  liearts" — 
"  Raptrix  coj'dium,"  as  St.  Bernard  calls  her,  let  fall 
on  her  protege  one  of  those  penetrating  regards  that 


LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  143 

pierce  the  very  heart,  and  fill  it  with  burning  lights ; 
his  bosom  is  overflown  Avith  emotions,  which  he  can 
no  longer  master,  and  he  breaks  out  into  such  sobs 
and  tears,  that  he  cannot  conceal  them  from  those 
around  him.  In  the  midst  of  these  stormy  feelings, 
suddenly  a  certain  calm  established  itself  in  his  mind, 
by  the  means  of  which  he  could  distinctly  hear  a 
sweet  voice — that  of  his  tender  Mother — inviting 
him  to  consecrate  himself  to  her  Divine  Son ;  but  to 
do  instantly,  and  without  putting  it  off  to  another 
day.  His  consent  had  not  been  yet  pronounced ;  his 
eyes  are  cast  towards  the  sacred  image,  when  sud^ 
denly  the  sense  of  the  words  from  the  Canticle  of 
Canticles  strikes  his  mind;  the  words  ^^ Posueru7it 
me  custodem,"  which  are  placed  in  the  mouth  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  and  which,  as  he  had  before  noticed 
that  day,  surround  her  sacred  head,  as  an  emblem  of 
her  protecting  power,  convey  to  his  mind  their  full 
meaning.  "  Fear  not,"  the  divine  Shepherdess 
seemed  to  say  to  him ;  "  fear  not,  my  son,  to  follow 
the  inspirations  of  grace ;  thou  hast  nothing  to  fear 
from  the  snares  that  thy  enemies  may  prepare  for 
thee :  I  will  have  a  care  of  thee,  myself,  for  it  is  I 
who  am  the  guardian  here."  He  could  hold  out  no 
longer.  Yes,  0  my  God,  exclaimed  he,  here  also 
shall  I  repose,  because  here  is  thy  residence  !  "  JIwo 
est  Domus  Domini ;"  '■^  Ilsee  requies  mea.'^  I  shall 
repose  here,  for  I  have  made  my  choice :  "  Ilio 
Jiabitaho,  quoniom  elegi  earn.'"  At  the  same  time,  his 
affected  soul  gave  itself  up  to  effusions  of  confidence 
and  devotion,  and  he  gave  full  scope  to  his  tears; — 
tears  sweet  in  themselves,  as  accompanying  the  ac- 


144  LIFE   OF  FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.       ' 

complishment  of  a  generous  sacrifice. — Vincent  was 
no  longer  belonging  to  himself,  no  longer  his  own 
master :  he  had  just  sacrificed  whatever  he  had  most 
dear  in  the  world — his  relations  and  the  aifections 
he  bore  them — on  the  altar  of  God,  to  whom  he  con- 
secrated himself,  to  live  for  Ilim  and  to  love  Ilim 
alone ! 


CHAPTER  XII. 

VINCENT  APPLIES  FOB  IMMEDIATE  ADMISSION  INTO  THE  COMMUNITY. 
THE  VARIOUS  TRIALS  TO  WHICH  HIS  VOCATION  IS  SUBMITTED.  THE 
HEV.  FATHER  ABBOT  LAYS  BEFORE  HIM  SOME  OP  THE  AUSTERITIES 
OF    THE    ORDER. 

The  next  morning  Vincent  eagerly  announced  to 
the  father  Avho  had  the  supervision  of  the  strangers' 
apartments,  that  he  had  laid  aside  his  intention  of 
departing ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  he  requests  him  to 
notify  the  Reverend  Abbot  of  this  change,  and  of  his 
desire  of  speaking  with  him.  His  wishes  were  soon 
complied  with.  At  this  interview,  he  related  all  he 
had  experienced  the  evening  before :  the  wonderful 
change  that  divine  grace  had  made  in  him,  the  admira- 
ble effects  of  the  powerful  protection  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin ;  and  finally  he  begs  him  to  grant  him  the 
joyful  privilege  of  being  immediately  admitted  among 
his  children. 

The  Reverend  Abbot  was  by  no  means  surprised  at 
this  new  revelation.  In  his  former  interviews  with 
this  young  man,  he  could  not  hinder  himself  from 
believing  that  God  had  particular  designs  upon  him, 
and  had  already  marked  him  for  his  own ;  but  then, 
as  has  been  already  observed,  he  felt  the  necessity  of 
putting  to  the  proof  the  vocation  of  postulants.  In 
the  present  instance,  he  felt  himself  called  upon  to 
make  use  of  more  severe  proofs  than  usual.  He  con- 
sidered that  Vincent  was  a  member  of  a  rich  and  dis- 
13  (145) 


146  LIFE    OF    FATHER    MAKIA    EPHKAIM. 

tinguished  family,  and  that  his  precipitate  flight  from 
the  world,  to  bury  himself  in  a  cloister,  would  neces- 
sarily cause  some  noise.  He  considered,  moreover, 
that  he  was  the  only  son  of  a  father  who  almost  adored 
him,  and  who  founded  upon  him  all  his  hopes;  and 
that  the  disappearance  of  this  son  would  most  probably 
plunge  that  father  into  the  abyss  of  despair.  Besides, 
the  young  man  himself,  being  evidently  of  an  ardent 
temperament,  and  of  a  vivid  imagination,  would,  per- 
haps, repent,  in  a  short  time,  of  the  step  he  was  now 
about  to  take.  All  these  considerations,  therefore, 
induced  the  reverend  father  to  put  on  a  more  reserved 
air,  and  to  more  severely  try  the  new  postulant's 
vocation.  "My  good  young  friend,"  said  he  to 
Vincent,  "  I  bless  the  Lord  for  the  many  manifesta- 
tions of  his  love  towards  you ;  He  suggests  to  you 
the  desire  of  consecrating  yourself  to  His  service; 
give  yourself  up  then,  without  restraint,  to  all  the  inspi- 
rations of  His  grace.  The  project  you  meditate,  is  a 
very  serious  one,  and  demands  all  our  precautions : 
we  must  not  be  precipitate ;  for  which  reason  our  holy 
rule  has  prescribed  very  wise  measures,  to  which  you 
must  make  up  your  mind  to  submit  yourself,  ere  you 
can  obtain  the  habit.  Put  your  trust  in  God,  in  the 
mean  time ;  pray  without  ceasing,  continue  to  recom- 
mend yourself  to  your  illustrious  Protectress,  and 
there  can  le  little  doubt,  but  that  we  shall  finally 
arrive  at  the  ends  which  God  has  in  store  for  you,  and 
at  the  strictest  execution  of  his  wise  designs." 

From  this  moment,  Vincent  was  considered  and 
treated  as  a  postulant.  The  time  of  the  duration  of 
this  first  probation  is,  however,  undetermined,  and  is 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM.  147 

always  spent  in  ascertaining  the  stability  of  vocation 
and  fixity  of  purpose  in  the  new  brother.  It  was 
during  this  period  that  Vincent  wrote  to  his  father 
the  letter  from  which  some  extracts  have  been  given 
in  a  former  chapter.  He  could  not  help  informing 
his  family  of  what  had  become  of  him,  but  he  dared 
not  as  yet  discover  the  whole  truth ;  hence  it  is,  that 
the  letter  was  so  vague  and  indefinite.  He  wished 
his  father  to  have  some  suspicion  of  his  determination  ; 
he  allowed  him  to  see  some  part  of  it.  but  he  did  not 
confess  it  altogether ;  he  wished  by  this  means  to  feel 
his  way,  and  to  have  an  answer,  in  order  to  know 
what  was  thought  upon  the  subject  by  his  family  in 
general ;  and  by  his  father  in  particular.  "  I  have 
seen  here,"  he  continues  in  the  forementioned  letter, 
"  two  young  gentlemen  of  Perpignan,  who  have  come 
to  consecrate  themselves  to  the  Lord ;  and  of  whom 
my  Aunt  Alday  had  frequently  spoken  to  me.  They 
are  both  enrolled  among  the  lay  brothers ;  one  of 
them  taking  the  name  of  Brother  Tustin ;  the  other, 
of  Brother  Florentinus.  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of 
recognizing  among  the  choir-fathers,  one  of  my  old 

school-fellows  at  Aix,  Monsieur  E ;  he  was  one 

of  my  cousin's  most  intimate  friends.  His  present 
name  is  Father  Mucins.  All  sorts  of  persons  are 
received  here.  Visiters  arrive  daily ;  some  for  the 
sake  of  making  a  spiritual  retreat ;  others,  for  curi- 
osity alone.  There  are  also  living  here  some  persons 
desirous  of  withdrawing  from  the  world,  without,  at 
the  same  time,  binding  themselves  by  religious  vows  ; 
such  persons  are  admitted  as  boarders.  Among  them, 
my  attention  was  called  to  the  persons  of  Monsieur 


148  LIFE   or   FATHER   MARIA   EniRAIM. 

De  la  R ,  a  magistrate  of  great  reputation  in 

the  world ;  and  of  Monsieur ,  Superior  of  the 

episcopal  seminary  of  the  diocese  of .     As  for 

myself — persuaded  as  I  am,  that  I  shall  derive  great 
profit  from  a  sojournment  here,  I  have  decided  to  stay 
some  time  longer.  In  this  house,  one  learns  to  put  a 
just  value  upon  the  world  and  its  deceptions,  whilst 
serving  God  with  joy  and  fullness  of  heart.  La  Trappe 
has  nothing  terrible,  or  frightful,  but  the  name.  I 
am  very  glad  to  have  turned  off  from  my  direct  route 
to  Perpignan ;  for,  surely,  the  time  I  shall  pass  in 
this  holy  asylum  cannot  be  considered  as  lost.- .  .  Some 
time  has  passed  since  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  hear- 
ing from  home ;  I  hope  you  will  gratify  my  longings 
by  writing  to  me  at  this  place.  I  reckon  upon  your 
well-known  and  long-tried  goodness.  You  can  di- 
rect your  letter  to  '  Aiguebelle,  near  MontelimarV 
{Drome)" 

Such  a  letter  was  sufficient  of  itself  to  awaken  the 
suspicions  of  the  family,  who  long  since  perceived 
that  an  event  similar  to  the  one  that  detained  Vincent 
in  the  monastery,  may  be  daily  expected.  Its  real 
design  was  to  prepare  them  by  degrees  for  an  open 
avowal  of  his  determination,  which,  he  knew,  would 
cause  them  great  afl^iiction ;  he  anxiously  awaited  an 
answer,  in  order  to  know  what  effect  it  had  produced. 
In  the  mean  time,  he  was  permitted  to  acquire  a  more 
intimate  knowledire  of  the  house  he  was  henceforth  to 

O 

inhabit,  and  of  the  kind  of  life  he  was  to  follow.  He 
had  been  too  confused  on  the  first  day  of  his  arrival, 
to  be  able  to  observe  closely  what  was  passing  around 
him,  and  during  his  stay  in  the  strangers'  department. 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  149 

his  time  was  wholly  taken  up  with  spiritual  exercises, 
as  has  been  already  mentioned.  The  father  whose 
duty  it  was  to  entertain  strangers,  accompanied  him 
in  his  visit  through  the  different  departments  of  the 
monastery.  He  commenced  with  the  court-yard, 
which  presented  to  him  a  vast  magazine  of  agriculture ; 
he  saw  a  large  shed  containing  waggons  and  carts, 
ploughs  of  different  constructions,  and  many  other 
instruments  used  in  the  cultivation  of  the  soil.  He 
noticed  forges,  wherein  the  religious  were  engaged  at 
work ;  some  shoeing  horses,  others  manufacturing 
farming  utensils,  and  others  again  employed  in  the 
manufacuture  of  locks,  keys,  and  other  fancy  articles, 
either  for  sale,  or  for  the  necessities  of  the  monastery. 
At  another  side  of  the  same  court-yard,  he  took  notice 
of  an  immense  sheep-fold,  of  the  religious  conducting 
to  pasture  a  large  flock  of  sheep,  whilst  others  were 
sweeping  and  cleansing  the  fold,  in  preparation  for 
their  return  at  night.  The  continual  passing  and 
repassing  of  the  religious ;  some  having  on  their 
shoulders  gardening-utensils ;  others,  baskets  contain- 
ing the  various  articles  about  which  they  were  em- 
ployed— all,  in  fine,  busy  and  apparently  happy, 
presented  to  his  imagination  the  activity  and  industry 
of  a  large  swarm  of  bees.  He  expected  to  find  in 
this  enclosure  nothing  else  but  the  customs  and  prac- 
tices of  the  cloister,  to  hear  nothing  but  canticles, 
hymns  and  prayers ;  what  then  was  his  surprise  to 
find  there  a  faithful  resemblance  of  rural  labors,  and 
to  hear  the  noise  and  din  of  agricultural  industry ;  to 
see,  in  fine,  a  model  farm !  He  remarked  divers 
streams  of  pure  and  limpid  water,  some  of  which, 
13* 


150  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

after  having  supplied  the  work-shops  and  wash-houses, 
passed  through  the  gardens ;  others  again  were  dis- 
tributed through  the  monastery,  by  means  of  various 
pipes  or  conduits,  where  they  were  used  for  different 
purposes.     Vincent,    after    quitting    the    court-yard, 
passed  through  the  different  work-shops  and  halls ; 
and  by  special  privilege,  he  was  permitted  to  visit 
certain   places,   to    which    access    was  prohibited    to 
strangers.     One    of   the    latter   was    the   pharmacy, 
where  he  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  with  an   old 
friend  in  the  person  of  the  religious  to  whose  care  it 
was  committed.     He  was  surprised  at  everything  he 
saw,  but  what  astonished  him  the  most  were  the  order 
and  regularity  everywhere  prevailing,  although  joined 
with  great  simplicity.     He    remarked   that    all   the 
door-latches  were  made  of  wood,  and  that  a  decent 
and  becoming  poverty  was  the  prevailing  feature  of 
everything  belonging  to  the  monastery.     After  visit- 
ing the  various  places,  he  went  to  see  the  Father 
Abbot.     He  found  him  in  a  small  chamber,  as  modest 
and  simple   as  the   other  rooms   of  the  monastery, 
without  any  other  furniture  than  an  old  writing-table, 
a  few  pictures,  and  two  stools  of  maple,  upon  one  of 
which  the  Reverend  Father  was  sitting. 

For  the  further  information  of  Vincent,  the  Reve- 
rend Abbot  took  the  present  opportunity  of  instruct- 
ing him  in  the  domestic  economy  and  by-laws  of  the 
monastery.  He  informed  him  that  the  Abbot,  or  first 
Superior,  has  the  full  and  entire  administration  of  his 
monastery,  as  well  in  temporal  as  in  spiritual  con- 
cerns ;  but  that  he  is,  nevertheless,  under  the  control 
of  the  general  Superiors,  who  have  the  right  of  do- 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM,  151 

posing  him,  in  case  his  administration  should  bo 
found  faulty ;  that  the  Abbot  is  elected  by  a  majority 
of  the  votes  of  the  community,  and  that  his  election, 
presided  over  by  the  Vicar-General  of  the  congrega- 
tion, must  be  afterwards  confirmed  by  the  Court  of 
Rome.  After  the  Abbot,  continued  the  Reverend 
Father,  come  the  religious,  according  to  their  different 
ranks,  and  years  spent  in  the  order :  first,  the  choir- 
religious,  so  called  from  its  being  their  principal 
occupation  to  assist  in  choir,  and  to  offer  to  God  a 
continual  sacrifice  of  praise.  They  are  consecrated 
to  the  Lord  by  the  three  usual  monastic  vows,  to 
■which  is  generally  added  a  fourth  vow,  termed  the 
vow  of  stahility.  After  them  are  ranked  the  Lay- 
Rrothers,  who  are  also  bound  by  the  same  vows, 
publicly  made  in  the  hands  of  the  Abbot  on  the  day 
of  their  profession.  These  also  have  an  ofiice  to  say, 
but  shorter  than  that  of  the  choir-religious  ;  they  are 
more  particularly  employed  in  the  servile  works  of 
the  monastery,  and  are  governed  by  nearly  the  same 
regulations  as  the  latter.  Their  habit  is  of  a  dark- 
brown  color,  whilst  that  of  the  choir-religious  is 
white. 

As  a  passing  observation,  it  may  be  truly  affirmed, 
that  Aiguebelle  and  other  monasteries  of  La  Trappe, 
possess  at  this  moment  a  numerous  and  brilliant 
assemblage  of  these  good  brothers,  rivalling  in  zeal 
and  regularity  the  choir-religious,  and  uniting  the 
most  distressing  labors  to  the  habitual  practice  of  the 
most  sublime  virtues.  There  may  be  found  in  their 
ranks  many  that  cannot,  and  others  that  scarcely  can 
read,  who  are  already  far  advanced  in  the  ways  of 


152  LIFE    OF   FATHEK    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

perfection ;  ignorant  according  to  the  world,  their 
correspondence  to  grace  has  enriched  them  with  the 
science  of  the  saints.  They  are  the  consolation  of 
their  superiors,  who  see  them  marching  of  their 
own  accord  to  the  acme  of  holiness,  and  elevating 
themselves  by  their  virtues,  without  any  impulse 
from  without,  whilst  they  are  the  edification  of  all 
other  religious,  who  love  them  with  all  brotherly 
affection. 

We  are  told  in  the  Gospel,  that  the  Divine  Saviour, 
one  day,  in  the  course  of  his  mortal  life,  went  to  visit 
a  family  of  his  friends  :  it  was  the  family  of  Lazarus. 
When  he  arrived,  one  of  the  sisters  of  Lazarus, 
Martha,  set  about  the  necessary  means  of  worthily 
receiving  so  divine  a  guest,  whilst  his  other  sister, 
Mary,  kept  him  company  and  listened  to  his  divine 
words :  both  co-operated,  each  in  her  own  way,  to 
honor  their  Master.  Something  similar  is  daily  pass- 
ing at  the  monasteries  of  La  Trappe.  It  is  in  the 
name  of  the  whole  community  that  a  portion  of  the 
religious,  like  Mary,  give  themselves  up  to  the  sweets 
of  contemplation,  and  to  singing  the  praises  of  the 
Lord,  whilst  another  portion,  imitating  the  labor  of 
Martha,  are  busied  in  providing  for  the  subsistence 
of  the  former ;  all  thus  concur  in  the  work  of  God 
with  delightful  unanimity,  that  often  causes  them  to 
repeat,  whilst  pouring  out  the  affections  of  their 
souls  :  "  Quam  bonum  et  qtiam  jucmidum  habitare 
fr aires  in  unum^" — How  sweet  and  pleasing  a  thing 
it  is  for  brothers  to  live  in  unity  ! 

Next  in  order  come  two  other  classes  of  brothers ; 
namely,  those  who,  without  binding  themselves  by  any 


LIFE   OF   FATIIEU    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  153 

vowB,  yet  wear  the  habit  of  the  order;  and  those 
■who,  in  a  secular  dress,  submit  themselves  to  certain 
regulations ;  the  former  are  called  "  temporary 
brothers,"  the  latter,  "brothers  belonging  to  the 
family."*  Under  these  two  names  are  comprised 
all  dwellers  in  the  monastery,  who  are  not  bound  by 
vows,  whether  on  account  of  not  having  the  courage 
to  take  them,  or  for  some  other  cause : — they  are, 
nevertheless,  considered  as  belonging  to  the  family, 
and  live  in  the  house  under  certain  regulations. 

Vincent  found  all  this  most  interesting,  and  felt 
himself  more  and  more  encouraged  in  his  resolution. 
The  Rev.  Father,  however,  having  always  in  view 
his  system  of  trial,  thus  continued  his  discourse: 
"  Hitherto,  my  young  friend,  you  have  only  seen  the 
fair  side  of  the  medal ;  it  will  be  necessary  for  you  to 
take  a  glance  at  the  other  side  also ;  in  order  that 
you  may  not  enter  into  any  engagement  without 
being  fully  aware  of  the  responsibilities  you  incur. 
Our  principal  austerities  may  be  classed  as  follows : 
fasts,  vigils,  singing  of  the  Divine  Office,  and  manual 
labor. 

"  Fasts — I  must  tell  you,  that  fasting  is  a  continual 
practice  here :  flesh-meat,  eggs  and  butter,  are,  ac- 
cording to  our  rule,  prohibited  to  every  one  in  health  ; 
fish,  to  every  one,  whether  sick  or  in  health,  and  oil 
is  permitted  to  be  used  by  the  sick  only.  The  fare 
of  the  community  consists  of  pulse,  roots,  and  herbs ; 

»  There  is  no  English  word  to  express  the  term  "  frere  donne" 
of  the  French.  It  has  been  rendered  in  the  text  by  *'  temporai-y 
brother," — as  near  an  approach  to  the  original,  as  a  wish  to  be 
intelligible  would  permit. 


154  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

milk  and  butter  are  also  used,  but  with  this  restriction, 
that  during  Advent  and  Lent,  all  the  fast-days  com- 
manded by  the  church,  and  all  the  Fridays  of  the 
year,  except  those  falling  in  Paschal  times,  the  two 
latter  must  not  be  served  up  in  the  refectory,  nor 
mixed  with  the  other  provisions :  everything  eaten 
during  the  times  just  mentioned,  must  be  seasoned 
only  with  salt  and  water.  The  cooks  are  directed  to 
prepare  the  provisions  in  as  simple  a  manner  as  pos- 
sible, and  never  to  make  use  of  spices  or  anything 
only  tending  to  the  gratification  of  the  palate.  During 
two-thirds  of  the  year,  the  Trappists  eat  but  once  in 
the  twenty-four  hours.  This  one  meal  consists  of 
soup,  a  dish  seasoned  with  salt  and  water,  and  of  a 
half-pint  of  weak  wine.  There  is  added  some  kind 
of  fruit,  as  a  dessert,  on  those  days  that  are  not  fast- 
days  commanded  by  the  church,  and  on  the  Fridays 
of  the  Paschal  season. 

From  the  14th  of  September  until  Lent,  this  one 
meal  is  taken  at  half-past  two  o'clock ;  in  Lent,  it  is 
delayed  until  one-quarter  past  four.  The  rest  of  the 
year  is  the  time  in  which  nature  is  re-invigorated 
among  us ;  but  you  will  find,  even  then,  the  regimen 
sufficiently  severe,  for  it  difiers  a  great  deal  from  that 
followed  during  Lent  by  the  most  religious  families 
living  in  the  world.  Dinner,  during  this  portion  of 
the  year,  is  taken  about  twelve  O'clock,  and  a  slight 
collation  is  served  up  in  the  evening.  Our  greatest 
feasts  enjoy  no  privilege  as  far  as  eating  is  concerned: 
all  are  made  subservient  to  the  general  rule  of  living, 
Sunday  and  Christmas-day  alone  being  excepted.  It 
is,  moreover,  expressly  prohibited  to  serve  up  in  the 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  155 

refectory  anything  extraordinary,  upon  any  pretext 
whatever,  as,  for  instance,  on  the  day  of  the  pro- 
fession of  a  religious ;  and  still  more  this  prohibition 
is  enforced  on  the  days  preceding  Advent  and 
Lent. 

Vigils — You  have  passed  through  our  dormitories, 
but  probably  you  have  not  examined  our  beds  in  par- 
ticular. These  will  not  be  found  very  complicated : 
two  planks,  a  straw  mattrass  rendered  hard  by  being 
quilted,  and  then  covered  over  with  a  coarse  sheet,  a 
woollen  blanket,  and  a  pillow  stuffed  with  straw,  are 
all  that  is  required  for  the  repose  of  the  Trappist. 
On  such  a  couch  he  places  himself  without  undressing, 
in  order  to  recruit  his  exhausted  strength ;  and  at 
midnight,  or  at  one,  or,  at  the  latest,  at  two  O'clock, 
according  to  the  degree  of  the  festival,  and  the  greater 
or  less  solemnity  of  the  office,  the  bell  of  the  monas- 
tery rings  in  the  midst  of  darkness,  and  at  all 
seasons  of  the  year,  to  summon  him  to  choir.  Neither 
intense  cold,  nor  scorching  heat  can  excuse  his  ab- 
sence. At  the  first  sound  of  the  bell,  he  is  on  his 
feet,  and  a  few  minutes  after,  he  may  be  found  in  the 
choir,  singing  the  praises  of  the  Lord. 

The  Divine  Office — The  author  of  the  sacred 
psalmody,  the  pious  David  himself,  has  marked  for 
us  the  hour  at  which  we  should  commence  the  holy 
office :  '  Media  node,'  says  he,  '  surgeham  ad  con- 
Jitendum  tihi ;'  '  I  arose  in  the  middle  of  the  night 
to  sing  your  praises ;'  and  the  names  of  '  Matins' 
and  'Nocturns,'  which  this  part  of  the  office  still 
bears,  sufficiently  announce  at  what  time  it  should  be 
celebrated.     This  very  time  is  literally  observed  by 


156  LIFE   OF  FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

US.  At  the  first  sound  of  the  bell,  all  the  community 
snatch  themselves  from  a  sleep  which  was  perhaps  a 
long  time  denied  on  account  of  the  hardness  of  their 
couch,  and  hurry  to  go  and  offer  to  the  King  of 
heaven  the  homage  of  their  exactness  and  devotion. 
Five  minutes  after  awakening,  the  office  begins,  and 
lasts  until  four  or  half-past  four  O'clock.  This  first 
recitation,  though  long,  is  not  the  only  one.  The 
Prophet,  after  having  told  us  that  he  commenced  this 
holy  exercise  at  midnight,  goes  on  to  tell  us  that  he 
continued  it  during  many  hours  of  the  day :  '  Septies 
in  die  laudem  dixi  tihi:'  '  Seven  times  a  day  I  have 
sung  the  glory  of  thy  Holy  Name.'  We  continue  to 
follow  this  holy  model ;  our  day  is  found  to  be  a 
sacrifice,  almost  uninterrupted,  of  praises  to  the  glory 
of  the  Most  High.  This  singing  frequently  repeated, 
and  ordinarily  prolonged  from  six  to  seven  hours  a 
day,  and,  above  all,  celebrated,  as  practised  among 
us,  in  a  grave  and  solemn  tone,  must,  it  may  be 
naturally  surmised,  be  very  fatiguing  and  dis- 
tressing. 

Manual  Labor — Although  the  Divine  Office  is  the 
proper  and  peculiar  employment  of  the  choir-religious, 
manual  labor  is  also  one  of  their  obligations.  Our 
rules  declare,  that  it  should  not  be  continued  longer 
than  six  hours  a  day  in  summer,  except  in  harvest 
time,  and  at  the  season  for  gathering  potatoes, — a 
most  important  crop  to  us.  No  one,  however,  is  ex- 
empt from  it,  for,  according  to  our  holy  father,  St. 
Benedict,  it  is  whilst  thus  employed,  that  the  religious 
is  really  a  monk. 

There  only  remains  for  me  to  say  a  few  words  con- 


LIFE   OF  FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  157 

cerning  the  poor  and  rough  manner  in  which  we  are 
clothed.  A  flannel  shirt,  which,  especially  at  the 
commencement,  feels  like  hair-cloth,  a  gown  covered 
with  a  long  strip  of  black,  called  '  a  scapular/  con- 
stitute our  dress  during  the  time  of  labor ;  whilst 
during  the  rest  of  the  time,  we  are  enveloped  in  a 
large  cloak,  called  ^  a  coule^'  or  'a  chappe\'  the 
former  being  the  distinctive  mark  of  a  professed  re- 
ligious, the  latter,  of  a  novice.  All  these  dresses  are 
wholly  of  wool ;  in  winter,  they  are  found  too  light, 
and  in  summer,  too  heavy  for  comfort.  The  upper 
part  of  the  habit  is  furnished  with  a  kind  of  head- 
dress, called  '■  capuce,'  serving  as  a  hat  by  day,  and 
cap  by  night. 

We  have  no  other  recreation  than  that  proceeding 
from  the  alternation  of  successive  exercises.  Be- 
tween the  Divine  Office  and  labor,  there  are  some  in- 
tervals, which  must  be  consecrated  to  the  study  of  the 
psalms,  or  to  the  reading  of  some  spiritual  book. 

Each  of  those  practices  taken  separately,  is  not  of 
a  nature  to  frighten  an  ordinary  desire  of  living  peni- 
tentially ;  but  all  united  cannot  fail  to  put  to  the 
proof  certain  constitutions,  of  which  yours  is  one. 
Your  delicate  appearance,  and  evident  want  of  corpo- 
real vigor,  have  placed  me  under  the  necessity  of 
making  this  observation,  in  order  that  you  may  not 
undertake,  unwarned. 

I  will  not  speak  to  you  at  present  about  the  per- 
petual silence  which  every  one  must  observe  on 
coming  to  La  Trappe,  nor  of  the  passive  obedience 
to  which  he  must  submit  himself,  nor  of  that  love  for 
humiliations  that  causes  him  to  wish  to  be  the  lowest 
14 


158  LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

of  the  low,  nor  of  that  spirit  of  self-denial  that  makes 
him  renounce  not  only  the  world  and  all  that  it  holds 
dearest,  but  also  himself,  his  self-will,  his  self-love, 
and  to  have  none  other  desire  than  the  will  of  his 
superiors,  whom  he  is  to  regard  as  bearing  in  their 
persons,  with  reference  to  him,  the  manifestation  of 
the  will  of  God.  All  these  things  will  be  explained 
to  you  in  their  proper  place ;  what  I  have  just  told 
you,  may  be  sufficient  for  the  present  to  make  you 
understand  what  a  serious  step  you  are  about  to  take, 
and  with  what  maturity  you  should  weigh  it  in  the 
presence  of  God." 

The  enumeration  of  these  austerities,  together  with 
the  austere  and  grave  manner  assumed  by  the  Rev- 
erend Father,  whilst  relating  them,  afflicted  in  some 
degree  our  dear  postulant,  to  whom  a  contrary  man- 
ner of  living  had  become  habitual  from  his  infancy. 
At  one  time  he  thought  that  the  Reverend  Father 
dwelt  expressly  upon  these  things,  in  order  to  turn 
him  away  from  his  design ;  he  even  gave  utterance  to 
this  thought,  adding  :  "  But  you  say  nothing,  dearest 
Father,  of  the  ineffable  consolations  which  God  sheds 
upon  practices  so  revolting  to  nature ;  you  say  not  a 
word  of  the  happiness  enjoyed  in  the  service  of  God." 
The  Reverend  Father  replied,  that  "  the  rule  made  it 
his  duty  to  act  and  speak  in  this  manner  with  all  pos- 
tulants, without  distinction."  "Vincent's  courage  was 
not,  nevertheless,  abated :  he  modestly  remarked, 
"  If  I  persist  in  soliciting  admission  into  your  holy 
congregation,  it  is  not  either  through  relish,  or  in- 
clination, but  because  I  feel  an  internal  conviction 
that  the  good  God  demands  from  me  this  sacrifice ; 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA   EPHRAIM.  159 

and  whereas,  He  has  had  the  goodness  to  call  me  to 
such  an  act  of  devotion,  I  am  confident  that  He  is 
suflSciently  able  to  inspire  me  with  courage  and 
strength,  to  undergo  everything  necessary  to  its 
accomplishment." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

VINCENT  COMMENCES  HIS  NOVICIATE;  AND  TAKES  THE  NAME  OF  MARIA 
EPHRAIM.  HE  WRITES  TO  HIS  FATHER  AND  INFORMS  HIM  OP  IIIS 
PROCEEDINGS. 

The  Reverend  Father  was  well  satisfied  with  such 
an  observation,  but  yet  continued  his  system  of  re- 
serve. He  saw  his  persevering  neophyte  every  day, 
and  became  more  and  more  astonished  at  his  wonder- 
ful adaptation  to  the  life  of  the  community,  until  he 
could  not  help  seeing  the  work  of  God  clearly  mani- 
fested in  all  his  actions.  He  then  hesitated  no  longer. 
He  had  already  prolonged  his  trials  more  than  is 
usually  practised,  and  at  length  announced  to  him,  that 
his  wishes  were  about  to  be  gratified,  and  that  he  may 
prepare  himself  for  the  solemn  ceremony  of  taking  the 
holy  habit.  This  news  filled  our  young  postulant  with 
joy.  He  was  now  considered  as  one  of  the  com- 
munity, and  followed  all  the  exercises.  He  had  many 
conversations  with  his  master-novice,  who  instructed 
him  in  the  different  practices  of  the  house,  and  in 
many  of  the  monastic  ceremonies.  As  his  love  and 
zeal  for  the  state  of  life  he  had  embraced,  were  daily 
increasing,  it  was  deemed  unnecessary  to  keep  him 
long  in  suspense  as  to  the  day  on  which  he  was  to 
receive  the  habit,  and  the  ceremony  was  finally  fixed 
for  the  11th  of  February. 

On  the  morning   of  that   day,  immediately   after 
Prime,  he  repaired  to  the  Chapter,  where  all  the  com- 
munity had  been  already  assembled,  decked  out  in  his 
(160) 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  IGl 

finest  clothes.  A  profound  silence  reigns.  The 
master-novice  who  accompanies  him,  loads  the  way  to 
a  large  cross  painted  in  black  on  the  floor  of  the 
chapter-room,  and  opposite  the  abbot's  chair  :  there 
our  postulant  prostrates  himself  at  full  length ;  his 
foreliead  touching  the  ground.  The  Reverend  Father 
then  addresses  him  in  the  following  words  :  "  Quid 
petis?"  "What  do  you  seek?"  He  answers,  still 
prostrate  on  the  ground,  '■^  3Iise7'icordiam  Dei  et 
Ordinis,"  "  The  mercy  of  the  Lord  and  the  in- 
dulgence of  the  community." — ''''Surge  in  nomine 
Domini,''  "  Arise,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,"  the 
abbot  then  says ;  the  postulant  obeys,  and  stands 
erect,  whilst  the  superior  addresses  him  in  a  few 
admonitory  words :  "  My  brother,  have  you  well 
considered  the  step  you  are  about  to  take  ?  This 
is  the  proper  answer  to  the  request  you  have  just 
made.  You  asked  to  be  admitted  into  our  order,  and 
the  order  answers  you,  by  making'you  prostrate  your- 
self upon  a  cross.  In  this  prostration  is  found  all 
your  life  in  miniature,  if  you  wish  to  pass  it  among 
us  ;  for  to  carry  his  cross,  and  embrace  his  cross,  is 
the  whole  life  of  a  monk.  It  is  true,  that  this  cross, 
borne  with  love  and  devotion,  is  not  an  insupportable 
burden  ;  the  grace  of  God  lessens  the  weight  of  it  in 
favor  of  pious  souls,  and  it,  of  itself,  will  insure  you 
the  mercy  of  the  Lord,  which  you  solicit ;  for,  in  order 
to  obtain  that  immense  treasure,  we  know  no  other 
means  than  labor,  poverty,  suffering  and  humiliations. 
Do  you  believe,  then,  my  dear  brother,  that  you  have 
sufficient  courage  to  follow  such  a  career,  and  to  con- 
tinue the  kind  of  life  that  is  practised  in  this  house  ?" 
14* 


162  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPERAIM. 

''Yes,  Reverend  Father,"  answered  Vincent,  firmly; 
"yes,  I  hope  so,  with  the  grace  of  God,  and  the 
assistance  of  your  prayers." — "  Well,  then,  my  dear 
brother,  I  have  but  one  word  to  add ;  it  is  the  word 
which  our  blessed  Father  Saint  Benedict  addressed 
to  his  novices,  when  he  gave  them  the  holy  habit : 
'  If  you  have  made  a  commencement,  make  it  with 
all  your  heart,' — '  iSi  iyicipis,  perfecte  incipe.^  You 
are  now  going  to  divest  yourself  of  your  fine  clothes, 
and  to  take  others,  coarse  and  poor ;  it  is  to  teach  you 
that  you  should  now  quit  also  all  your  former  habits, 
and  all  the  affections  you  have  had  in  the  world,  and 
assume  the  manners  and  sentiments  of  an  humble 
penitent."  The  master-novice,  after  this,  led  him  to 
the  foot  of  the  abbot's  chair,  where  he  is  divested  of 
his  secular  clothes,  and  clothed  in  the  humble  dress 
of  the  Trappist  monk,  which  had  just  been  blessed  for 
the  occasion.  He  received  the  name  of  Ephraim,  to 
which  was  added  that  of  Maria,  in  order  thereby  to 
express  his  gratitude  towards  his  Blessed  Patroness, 
to  whom  he  felt  himself  indebted  for  his  vocation. 
During  the  ceremony,  the  community,  uniting  with 
him  in  sentiment,  sang  that  beautiful  song  of  thanks : 
"Blessed  be  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Israel,  who  has 
deigned  to  visit  his  people,  and  rescue  them  from 
servitude," — '^  Benedictus    Dominus    Deus     Israel 

"     The  whole  family  was  rejoiced ;  a  new 

brother  had  just  been  acquired — a  circumstance 
always  bringing  its  own  pleasure;  that  new  brother, 
at  the  conclusion  of  the  ceremony,  went  to  dedicate 
himself  anew  to  the  immaculate  Virgin,  and  to  place 
his  perseverance  under  her  protection. 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  1G3 

We  have  at  length  brought  our  Vincent  to  the 
acme  of  his  desires  :  he  has  now  raised  a  wall  of  sepa- 
ration between  himself  and  the  world,  and  enrolled 
himself  among  the  holy  army  of  the  servants  of  the 
August  Queen  of  angels.  Nevertheless,  one  trouble- 
some thought  comes  from  time  to  time  to  trouble  his 
repose  :  his  family,  anxiously  expecting  him  from  day 
to  day,  his  father  almost  adoring  him,  his  sister 
scarcely  able  to  live  without  his  presence,  are  all  this 
time  ignorant  of  his  determination,  and  know  not  that 
they  are  condemned  to  never  see  him  again.  But  that 
this  aiSiction  should  be  brought  upon  them  by  a  son, 
by  a  brother,  who  heretofore  pretended  to  live  only 
for  them ;  so  pure  and  so  full  of  affection  were  his 
sentiments ;  what  a  sad  position  to  be  placed  in  ! 
what  a  frightful  source  of  unhappiness  !  Such 
thoughts  weighed  him  down  at  intervals ;  he  was 
obliged  to  exert  all  his  virtue  to  conquer  them.  The 
devil,  always  lying  in  wait  for  generous  and  noble  ex- 
amples of  self-abnegation,  turns  this  thought  to  his 
own  profit ;  the  young  novice  is  sometimes  pushed  to 
extremity,  and  has  no  other  resource  than  to  throw 
himself  into  the  arms  of  his  good  Mother,  OGnsolatrix 
afflictorum ; — the  assured  refuge  of  desolate  souls. 
He  then  felt  his  courage  spring  up  anew ;  but  if  the 
temptation  continued,  he  went  immediately  to  discover 
it  to  the  Reverend  Father  Abbot, — the  faithful  de- 
pository of  all  the  motions  of  his  soul ;  and  this  ex- 
pedient always  succeeded.  The  advice  received  from 
him  was  a  powerful  antidote  for  all  the  evils  of  the 
soul ;  frequently  he  had  only  to  lay  open  the  cause 
of  his  trouble,  to  be  instantly  freed  from  it ;  the  old 


164  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

deceiver  hates  the  light,  odit  lucem ;  scarcely  is  he 
discovered  than  he  runs  to  hide  himself. 

His  family  at  length  broke  silence ;  his  sister  wrote 
to  him,  but  her  letter  was  very  vague.  Nothing  of 
the  design  he  wished  to  insinuate  was  understood,  or, 
at  least,  they  wished  to  dissemble,  if  they  had  under- 
stood it.  Consequently  his  sister  confined  herself  to 
reproach  him  for  his  long  absence,  his  delaying  on  his 
journey,  and  the  little  trouble  he  gave  himself  to  cor- 
respond to  the  affection  of  his  relations,  who  sighed 
for  his  arrival  with  so  much  anxiety.  Brother 
Ephraim  Maria — as  Vincent  was  now  called — felt  that 
the  time  had  at  length  arrived  to  come  to  an  explana- 
tion with  his  family  ;  indeed,  he  could  no  longer  put 
off  discovering  to  them  the  whole  mystery.  The  letter 
which  he  wrote  to  his  father  upon  this  subject,  can- 
not fail  to  interest  the  reader :  we  shall  transcribe  it 
entire,  though  it  is  of  some  length,  because  we  cannot 
in  any  other  way  give  so  perfect  an  understanding  of 
the  noble  sentiments  by  which  he  was  governed,  than 
by  reproducing  this  letter. 

Aiguebelle,  February  21st,  1838. 

My  very  dear  Father, 

I  received  yesterday  Catharine's  letter.  The 
reproaches  and  accusations  which  she  deemed  herself 
justified  in  making,  are  not  altogether  unmerited ; 
but  I  am  not  wholly  so  culpable  as  may  at  first  be 
imagined.  My  silence  has  not  proceeded  from  negli- 
gence, and  still  less  from  indifference ;  it  has  been  oc- 
casioned by  a  chain  of  circumstances  that  I  was  far 
from  foreseeing.     Even  now  I  shall  appear  very  cul- 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  1G5 

pable,  and  I  know  not  in  what  terms  to  announce  to 
you  some  late  events,  with  which,  nevertheless,  you 
must  be  made  acquainted.    If  you  had  well  considered 
all  I  mentioned  in  my  last  letter,  you  would  have  easily 
foreseen  what  I  am  now  going  to  tell  you.     Yes,  my 
dear  father,  after  much  reflection,  reasoning,  and  no 
little   hesitation,  I   have   finally  resolved   to    conse- 
crate to  God  the  rest  of  my  days ;  but  do  not,  for 
that  reason,  accuse  me  of  dissimulation  and  want  of 
natural  affection.     Oh  !  if  you  knew  how  much  it  has 
cost  me ;  if  you  could  sound  the  bottom  of  my  heart, 
and  examine  the  wounds  of  my  soul,  you  would  soon 
be  convinced  of  my  love  for  you,  and  for  my  dear 
sister.     Oh  !  if  you  knew  how  much  I  bargained  with 
God — (allow  me  to  express  myself  so) — to  give  myself 
to  Him,  certainly  you  would  accuse  me  neither  of 
cruelty  nor  ingratitude.     To  God  alone  would  I  be 
capable  of  making  the  sacrifice  I  have  made  ;  for  there 
is  nothing  in  this  world  except  God,  that  could  in- 
fluence me  to  separate  from  you,  in  whatever  con- 
dition we  may  be  placed.     It  is  useless  for  me  to  en- 
deavor to  describe  all  my  feelings,  all  the  strife  which 
the  voice  of  divine  grace,  and  the  cry  of  nature,  are 
continually  carrying  on  in  my  breast.    You  know  how 
I   love   you  and  my  sister,   and  that   you  two  are 
the  only  ties  that  bound  me  to  the  world ;  and  God 
has  decreed  that  I  should  renounce  such  endearincr 
ties.     Ah !  when  your  persons  are  presented  to  my 
imagination,  I  am  then  ready  to  succumb  and  return 
to  my  former  life ;  and  God  certainly  must  have  had 
great  pity  on  me  to  support  so  long  my  tergiversations. 
But,  that  you,  yourself,  may  judge,  whether  my  vo- 


16G  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

cation  has  come  from  God,  and  whether  I  could  in 
conscience  act  otherwise  than  I  have  acted,  a  brief 
narrative  of  the  principal  occurrences  will  be  neces- 
sary. 

You  know  well,  my  dear  father,  that  the  principal 
object  of  my  journey  was  to  prove  my  vocation,  and 
to  endeavor  to  find  out  the  will  of  God,  relative  to  me  ; 
for  my  own  part,  at  least,  I  have  not  consented  to 
separate  from  you  but  for  this  motive ;  I  have  con- 
stantly prayed  the  Lord  to  manifest  his  will,  and  all 
my  desires  consisted  in  a  speedy  return  to  you.  At 
Paris  I  consulted  the  pious  directors  of  Saint  Laza- 
rus ;  at  Lyons  I  addressed  myself  to  various  persons 
of  known  integrity  and  piety,  and  I  must  confess  to 
you,  that  my  notions  were  not  thereby  changed :  the 
more  I  saw  of  the  world,  the  more  I  felt  the  necessity 
of  fleeing  from  it,  for  it  inspired  me  with  nothing  but 
disgust.  I  had  always  designed,  ever  before  my  de- 
parture from  Perpignan,  not  to  pass  through  Monteli- 
mart  without  visiting  the  monastery  of  La  Trappe,  at 
Aiguebelle,  which  I  knew  to  be  not  far  distant  from  the 
former  place.  At  the  same  time,  I  wrote  to  the  Supe- 
rior of  this  house ;  for  you  know  that  my  present 
determination  was  not  taken  at  the  impulse  of  the 
moment.  In  my  last  letter  I  informed  you  of  the 
manner  in  which  I  left  Montelimart,  where  I  left  my 
baggage,  and  how  I  took  the  road  towards  the  abbey, 
accompanied  by  the  Reverend  Parish-priest  of  that 
town,  who  was  proceeding  to  the  Trappist-nuns  of 
Maubec.  I  had  now  passed  eight  days  at  Aiguebelle. 
In  the  conversations  I  had  with  the  Reverend  Abbot, 
I  imparted  to  him  my  design  of  returning  to  your  pre- 


LIFE    OF    FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  167 

sencc,  in  order  to  inform  you,  that,  after  all  the  proofs 
to  which  I  had  submitted  myself,  I  was  only  the  more 
decided  to  quit  the  world ;  that  my  determination  to 
return  hither  was  unalterable  ;  I  even  flattered  myself 
with  the  hope  of  being  able  to  persuade  you  to  fix 
yourself  here  as  a  boarder,  in  order  that  we  may 
be  enabled  to  live  near  one  another.  The  abbot 
approved  of  my  design ;  he  even  wrote  a  letter  to  the 
Right  Reverend  Bishop  of  Perpignan,  of  which  I  was 
to  be  the  bearer,  the  said  bishop  being  one  of  his 
intimate  friends.  I  was  now  happy  in  the  thought  of 
embracing  you  after  a  little.  In  the  mean  time,  much 
was  spoken  of  the  Feast  of  the  Purification,  about  to  be 
celebrated  with  unusual  solemnity  the  very  day  fixed 
for  my  departure  ;  and  also,  of  the  taking  of  the  habit 
by  a  novice  on  the  same  day.  The  weather  was, 
moreover,  inclement ;  I  saw  that  it  would  not  much 
derange  my  plans  to  delay  that  day  also ;  and  I  con- 
cluded to  do  so.  But,  behold  !  I  felt  myself  more 
agitated  than  usual  on  the  day  of  this  festival ;  I  as- 
sisted at  some  ceremonies  that  made  the  deepest,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  most  pleasing  impressions  upon  me. 
There  was  general  Communion,  and  I  had  the  happi- 
ness to  participate ;  all  that  day,  in  fine,  was  a  day  of 
gladness  and  consolation  for  me.  That  evening, 
whilst  the  community  were  singing  the  Salve  Rcgina, 
to  salute  the  Blessed  Protectress,  before  they  retired 
to  rest,  I  was  myself  in  a  state  of  entrancement  which 
it  would  be  impossible  for  me  now  to  describe ;  extra- 
ordinary changes  were  passing  in  my  soul ;  I  could 
resist  no  longer ;  T  felt  tears  flowing  down  my  cheeks, 
and  I  promised  to  ray  God,  that  whatever  would  be 


168  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

the  consequence,  I  would  take  Him  from  that  moment 
for  my  portion.  In  the  morning,  I  made  my  feelings 
of  the  past  evening  known  to  the  Father  whose  duty 
it  is  to  attend  strangers,  and  also  to  the  Reverend 
Abbot.  I  informed  the  latter  that  I  gave  up  my  con- 
templated journey  towards  home.  The  Reverend 
Father  has  tried  my  vocation  in  every  way,  and  it  was 
not  until  after  ten  days  of  reflection,  and  after  sub- 
jecting me  to  very  severe  trials,  that,  finding  me 
always  in  the  same  determination,  he  consented  at 
length  to  admit  me  as  a  member  of  his  community. 
My  solemn  reception  took  place  on  the  11th  of  the 
present  month. 

I  would  wish  to  be  able  to  bring  before  your  eyes, 
my  dearest  father,  the  various  heart-rendings  and 
misgivings  I  have  suffered,  ere  taking  this  step.  I 
foresaw  all  the  chagrin  it  would  cause  the  best  of 
fathers  and  the  most  loving  of  sisters ;  nature  im- 
posed one  class  of  duties,  and  grace  another :  there 
was  an  incompatibility  between  them ;  God,  the 
sovereign  Master,  made  the  balance  always  incline  in 
his  favor,  in  addition  to  my  seeing  myself  exposed  to 
a  thousand  dangers  in  the  world.  I  deemed  it  even 
dangerous  to  return  again  to  Perpignan,  and  I  had 
not  the  heart  to  be,  myself,  the  bearer  of  news  that 
would  cause  you  a  moment  of  inquietude.  I  have 
hoped,  that  you  would  not  refuse  me  permission  to 
follow  my  vocation,  because  you  must  necessarily  per- 
ceive in  it  the  work  of  God ;  in  this  I  am  truly  fortu- 
nate in  having  a  father  eminently  religious,  who  may 
understand  how  dangerous  it  is  to  resist  Him,  who 
created  us  fur  Himself;  and  the  greatest  mark  of  His 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    El'URAIM.  169 

will  is  the  courage  He  gives  me  to  break  the  strong 
ties  that  bind  me  to  you.  Well,  then  !  let  us  put  in 
common  our  confidence,  to  ofier  ourselves  to  the  Lord  ; 
offer  to  Ilim  the  sacrifice  you  make  of  my  unworthy 
person,  as  I  offer  Him  myself  every  day.  Let  us  be 
assured  that  this  sacrifice  will  be  only  momentary ; 
God  will  accept  of  it,  and  will  grant  us  the  favor  of  a 
speedy  reunion  in  a  place  where  another  separation 
need  not  be  feared.  I  need  make  no  comment  upon 
the  little  reliance  we  can  place  upon  the  happiness  of 
this  world ;  we  have  been  submitted,  in  that  respect, 
to  very  rude  trials.  A  little  time  ago,  our  family  was 
h  model  of  perfect  happiness  on  the  earth ;  we  formed 
among  ourselves  but  one  heart,  but  one  soul.  God 
broke  a  ring  of  this  chain  in  the  death  of  my  beloved 
mother ;  since  that,  our  union  became,  if  possible, 
more  close.  The  Lord,  whose  designs  are  incompre- 
hensible, seems  not  yet  satisfied;  He  demands  still  a 
sacrifice ;  well,  then,  let  us  unite  all  three  of  us,  and 
offer  it  to  him !  This  will  not  make  us  love  one 
another  less,  for,  for  my  own  part,  since  I  have  taken 
my  present  resolution,  I  feel  my  affection  for  you  and 
my  sister,  more  ardent  and  more  pure.  I  never  let 
loose  a  sigh  towards  God,  in  which  you  are  not  both 
partakers  :  God  knows,  I  have  only  one  desire  : — the 
happiness  of  all  three ;  and  I  therefore  do  not  conceal 
from  you,  that  you  and  my  dear  sister  form  a  prin- 
cipal part  in  the  sacrifice  I  have  made  of  myself,  and 
that  ye  will  soon  be  convinced  that  it  is  no  calamity 
to  have  a  son  and  a  brother  enrolled  among  the  hum- 
ble worshippers  of  the  God  of  all.-^I  have  besides 
obtained  the  special  privilege  of  seeing  and  conversing 
15 


170  LIFE    OF    FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

"vvith  you,  whenever  you  shall  do  me  the  favor  of 
visiting  this  place. 

Of  all  the  religious  who  are  inmates  here,  there  ia 
scarcely  one  who  has  not  made  some  great  sacrifices. 
God  takes  pleasure  in  trying  his  own :  let  the  two 
following  cases  serve  for  instances.  There  is  at  pre- 
sent here  a  novice,  who  is  an  only  child,  and  the  son 
of  a  widowed  mother ;  he  is  also  the  heir  of  great  pos- 
sessions, and  the  only  one  in  whom  his  mother  could 
trust  for  the  comfort  of  her  advancing  years.  He 
felt  himself  forcibly  called  to  La  Trappe,  and  obeyed 
the  call :  all  the  prayers  and  tears  of  his  mother  to 
recall  him,  were  useless.  Being  still  a  minor,  his 
mother  had  recourse  to  the  violent  measures  of  the 
civil  law,  to  which  he  was  obliged  to  yield ;  but  as 
soon  as  ever  he  became  of  age,  he  fled  anew,  and 
came  to  take  refuge  in  the  shade  of  the  sanctuary, 
under  the  auspices  of  our  Blessed  Lady.  The  other 
instance  is  that  of  a  most  interesting  gentleman,  be- 
longing to  one  of  the  first  families  of  Toulouse :  he 
has  preferred  the  cross  of  Jesus  Christ  to  all  the  hap- 
piness the  world  could  afi'ord  him,  and  of  which  he 
was  a  favorite.  In  fine,  my  dear  father,  you  know 
better  than  I  that  the  kingdom  of  heaven  sufiers  vio- 
lence, and  that  we  cannot  reach  this  happy  country 
but  by  the  way  of  the  cross ;  that  is,  by  supporting 
with  patience  the  sacrifices  which  God  demands 
of  us. 

Do  not  be  uneasy  for  my  health :  I  find  myself 
perfectly  well,  notwithstanding  the  severity  of  the 
regimen  in  use  here ;  severe,  indeed,  as  it  ought  to  be, 
and  is  befitting  penitents.     The  provisions  are  dressed 


LIFE   OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM,  171 

in  the  most  simple  manner,  but  yet  most  suitably  to 
my  taste ;  in  truth,  I  assure  you,  that  I  find  every- 
thing most  delicious.  Besides,  I  believe  that  there 
are  special  favors  granted  to  those  living  here ;  for 
if  I  had  attempted,  whilst  at  home,  to  practise  half  of 
the  austerities,  or  to  make  use  of  the  same  food  for  a 
few  days  that  I  now  use  every  day ;  oh !  what  a  con- 
sumption of  barley-water  would  there  be ! — What  a 
consultation  of  physicians ! 

I  know  that  the  step  I  have  taken,  will  be  differ- 
ently interpreted,  but  this  consideration  causes  me  no 
alarm :  as  I  have  not  sought  to  enlist  the  suffrages 
of  any  one,  I  am  very  little  concerned  at  what  any 
one  may  think  fit  to  say  relative  to  me.  My  con- 
science tells  me,  that  I  have  fulfilled  a  painful,  but 
imperious  duty.  God  is  pleased,  and  that  is  sufiicient 
for  me.  There  is  no  dishonor  in  putting  one's  self  in 
the  service  of  the  King  of  Heaven,  "  whom  to  serve 
is  to  reign;"  your  afiiiction  alone  causes  me  any 
trouble  ;  but  I  beg  of  you,  my  beloved  father,  do  not 
think  harshly  of  me,  and,  above  all,  do  not  curse  me. 
If  you  knew  my  ardent  affection  for  you !  0,  that 
you  knew  how  I  love  you !  Look  into  everything,  jis 
if  you  were  in  the  presence  of  God,  and  then  judge 
if  I  could,  if  I  should,  have  acted  otherwise,  and  not 
obey  His  Divine  Will. 

I  would  wish  to  write  to  my  dear  sister,  and  to  my 
very  good  cousin.  I  would  have  much  to  say  to  them 
concerning  the  falsity  of  the  goods  of  this  world ;  not 
that  I  wish  to  assert,  that  it  is  impossible  to  be  saved, 
whilst  living  in  it ;  each  one  has  grace  sufiicient  for 
salvation,  but  it  is  our  duty  to  examine  carefully  what 


172  LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

God  demands  from  us.  I  believe,  however,  that  salva- 
tion is  very  difficult,  whilst  living  among  certain 
classes.  May  those  beloved  relatives  live  godly  and 
piously ;  and  may  my  sister  afford  my  dear  father 
more  comfort  and  consolation  than  it  has  been  ever 
in  my  power  to  afford  him. 

Pardon  me,  then,  dear  father,  the  step  I  have  taken 
without  first  obtaining  your  sanction.  Assure  me  by 
letter,  that  you  permit  me  to  follow — not  my  own 
inclination,  but — as  I  firmly  deem  it — the  will  of  the 
Lord.  I  beg  the  prayers  of  all,  as  I  daily  pray  for 
you.  Pray  especially  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  for  me, 
for  to  that  Holy  Protectress  I  am  indebted  for 
my  vocation ;  to  her  I  owe  the  permanency  of  my 
sentiments  during  the  dangers  and  temptations  of 
travel.  If  ever  affliction  should  lay  siege  to  your  heart, 
cast  your  eyes  upon  that  Crucifix  which  you  keep  in 
your  study  with  so  much  veneration,  and  read  the 
words  inscribed  at  its  feet :  "  0  you  wlio  are  in  afflic- 
tion, come  and  see  if  there  he  grief  like  my  grief.'' 
Such  a  sight  must  necessarily  console  you. 

Adieu,  then,  my  dearest  father,  and  equally  dear 
sister :  let  us  seek  for  consolation  in  God,  and  let  us 
beg  of  Him  the  inestimable  favor  of  seeing  ourselves 
reunited  one  day  in  Heaven. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

MONSIEUR  FERRER,  SENIOR,  ARRIVES  AT  AIGUEBELLK  :  HE  OBTAINS 
PERMISSION  TO  CONDUCT  HIS  SON  TO  PERPIGNAN ;  PROMISING  TO  GIVE 
HIS    CONSENT,    IN   CASE    HE    PERSISTS    IN    HIS    VOCATION. 

This  letter,  though  loving  and  aiFectionate,  carried 
desolation  into  the  family  of  Brother  Maria  Ephraim  ; 
the  death  of  the  wife  and  mother  had  already  sensibly 
changed  their  former  happiness,  and  there  was  wanting 
only  this  new  sacrifice  to  sink  them  into  the  very 
abyss  of  grief.  The  news  was  -soon  spread  ;  the  rela- 
tions and  friends  of  the  family  hastened  to  offer  con- 
solation. M.  Ferrer,  buried  in  grief,  was  almost  beside 
himself,  whilst  his  daughter,  Madam'lle  Catharine,  was 
the  very  picture  of  despair.  The  wounds  of  their 
hearts  were  not  yet  healed ;  they  opened  afresh,  and 
bled  profusely.  Uncertain  what  was  best  to  be  done 
in  a  matter  of  so  much  difficulty,  they  at  length  resolved 
to  endeavor  to  have  patience  for  awhile.  All  insisted 
that  M.  Ferrer  should  refuse  his  son  the  so-earnestly- 
sought  answer  to  his  letter ;  for,  in  addition  to  the 
difficulty  of  determining  what  plan  he  should  take,  in 
order  to  turn  him  from  his  project,  it  was  supposed 
that  absolute  silence  would  make  greater  impression 
upon  the  heart  of  one  whose  affectionate  and  loving 
disposition  was  so  well  known. 

This  manner  of  acting  was  really  punishing  our 
young  novice  in  the  most  sensible  quarter.     Better 
than  any  one,  he  knew   the  ardent  affection  that  his 
15*  (173) 


174  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM, 

father  and  sister  had  for  him ;  and  he  had  no  doubt 
that  the  step  he  had  taken,  was  the  cause  of  terrible 
affliction  to  them.  This  thought  afflicted  him ;  and 
the  uncertainty  he  was  in,  concerning  the  manner 
they  bore  the  certainty  of  having  lost — perhaps  for- 
ever— him  who  formed  the  centre  of  their  affections 
in  this  world,  almost  brought  him  to  despondency. 
Reflections  of  this  kind  were  those  that  pained  him 
most ;  and,  in  order  not  to  succumb  to  them,  he  was 
frequently  obliged  to  have  recourse  to  the  means 
already  mentioned,  that  had  so  well  succeeded,  when 
the  question  was  to  place  himself  as  a  victim  on  the 
altar  of  the  Lord :  these  same  means  now  served  to 
strengthen  his  constancy ;  he  offered  to  God  the  rest 
of  the  Holocaust,  and  resigned  himself  to  patience. 

In  the  mean  time,  one  of  his  near  relations  wrote 
to  him,  in  order  to  sound  his  intentions.  His  answer 
was  not  long  delayed.  In  it,  he  showed  himself  as 
affectionate  in  his  attachment  towards  his  family,  and 
as  admirable  by  the  purity  of  his  motives,  and  the 
nobleness  of  his  sentiments,  as  he  had  already  ex- 
hibited himself  in  the  letter  to  his  father,  which  has 
been  already  laid  before  the  reader ;  but,  at  the  same 
time,  he  left  no  ground  for  hope,  that  his  present 
determination  would  ever  be  changed.  Then,  this 
same  relative  advised  Mons.  Ferrer  to  have  recourse 
to  means,  which,  according  to  him,  were  the  most 
expeditious,  and  the  most  sure  to  recover  his  son ; 
they  were  no  other  than  to  set  out  immediately,  and 
take  him  away  by  force  from  the  pious  asylum  he  had 
chosen ;  he  offered  himself  as  companion  and  chief 
actor  in  the  expedition,  being  indeed  a  man  of  great 


LIFE    OP    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM,  175 

firmness  of  character,  of  an  ardent  temperament,  and 
well  fitted  by  nature  to  carry  into  execution  the 
violent  measures  he  had  advised.  Mens.  Ferrer 
allowed  himself  to  be  persuaded :  they  depart  on  their 
expedition;  the  party  consisting  of  himself,  his  daugh- 
ter, his  niece  M'lle  Eliza  A ,  and  the  foremen- 

tioned  relative,  all  firmly  persuaded  that  Vincent 
would  never  be  able  to  resist  their  united  efforts,  and 
firmly  resolved,  besides,  to  bring  him  back  with  them, 
at  all  hazards. 

Brother  Maria  Ephraim  was,  all  this  time,  far  from 
suspecting  the  plot  that  was  formed  against  him. 
Since  he  had  the  happiness  of  receiving  the  holy 
habit,  his  whole  desire,  his  whole  occupation  consisted 
in  one  thi«g, — that  of  being  a  good  novice,  in  order, 
after  awhile,  to  become  a  perfect  religious.  The 
words  addressed  to  him  at  his  reception,  by  the 
Reverend  Father  Abbot :  "  iSi  incipis,  perfecte  in- 
cipe,'" — "  If  you  begin  at  all,  begin  with  your  whole 
heart,"  had  made  a  deep  impression  on  his  heart. 
Plis  co-religious  could  scarcely  perceive  that  he  was 
but  a  beginner  in  religion;  so  much  perfection  in 
monastic  virtues  had  he  all  at  once  acquired.  Al- 
though the  last  arrived  in  the  community,  his  fellow- 
novices  assigned  to  him,  in  their  own  mind,  the  first 
place ;  so  much  did  they  admire  his  fervor  and  exact 
observance  of  the  rules,  accompanied  as  these  virtues 
were  by  amiability,  ease  and  cordiality  of  manners  so 
pleasing,  that  he  had  already  acquired  the  respectful 
afi"ection  of  all.  But  the  devil,  jealous  of  so  fine  a 
beginning,  left  nothing  untried  to  upset  and  destroy 
it:    perhaps,    also,   God,  in    his    special   providence, 


176  LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

■wished  to  subject  his  servant  to  further  trials.  Saint 
Bernard  assures  us,  that  God  acts  after  this  fashion 
with  persons  the  most  devoted  to  His  service,  and  the 
same  Saint  proves  by  solid  reasons,  that  such  trials 
are  necessary  to  obtain  perfection.  Brother  Maria 
Ephraim  was  not  exempt  from  them.  Courage,  then, 
noble  combatant !  You  have  put  your  trust  in  God, 
you  neither  can,  nor  will,  therefore,  be  confounded ! 
You  have  put  yourself  under  the  protection  of  the 
Queen  of  Heaven;  she  will  know  how  to  protect 
you  from  the  rage  of  your  enemies,  and,  in  case  of 
need,  to  turn  to  their  own  confusion  all  their  efforts 
to  hurt  you. 

It  was  on  the  7th  of  March  that  the  Ferrer  family 
arrived  at  Aiguebelle ; — one  month  after  Brother 
Maria  Ephraim  had  entered  it.  The  uncle  took  upon 
himself  the  direction  of  the  whole  expedition,  and  its 
ultimate  success.  Their  first  care  was  to  hide  their 
names  and  quality :  they  announced  themselves  as 
persons  led  by  curiosity  to  visit  the  monastery,  and 
to  better  disguise  their  real  intentions,  put  a  multipli- 
city of  questions  to  the  father  that  waited  upon  them, 
who,  in  turn,  answered  with  the  greatest  simplicity.  It 
was  now  becoming  late,  and  as  the  presence  of  the  two 
young  ladies  rendered  a  stay  in  the  monastery  during 
the  night,  impossible,  they  retired  until  morning  to  a 
neighboring  village ;  the  two  gentlemen  having  first 
satisfied  themselves  with  a  superficial  view  of  the 
house,  and  other  places,  to  which  females  are  never 
admitted. 

A  great  part  of  the  night  was  passed  in  deliberating 
on  what  further  measures  should  now  be  taken.     The 


LIFE    UF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRALM.  177 

next  morning,  at  an  early  hour,  they  again  proceeded 
to  the  monastery,  and  still  acting  the  same  part  as  the 
day  before,  overwhelmed  the  gate-keeper  and  the 
father  ^Yho  attended  them,  with  various  questions. 
They  expressed  an  eager  desire,  above  other  things, 
to  see  the  religious.  It  was  told  them  that  these,  in 
a  short  time,  would  be  in  attendance  at  High  Mass ; 
and  that  immediately  after  they  would  go  out  to  work. 
The  two  gentlemen  signifying  a  desire  to  attend  at  this 
Mass,  were  conducted  to  the  gallery,  from  whence 
their  anxious  eyes  were  constantly  directed  towards 
the  choir,  in  order  to  discover  among  those  assembled, 
the  features  of  him  in  whom  they  were  so  much  inter- 
ested. They  immediately  recognized  him  under  his 
new  costume.  They  could  not,  at  the  same  time,  keep 
themselves  from  a  secret  sentiment  of  admiration  at 
the  sight  of  so  many  heroic  men,  who  had  voluntarily 
trampled  under  foot  the  pleasures  and  all  the  seduc- 
tions of  the  world,  and  had  come  to  an  humble  soli- 
tude to  devote  themselves  to  so  painful  a  life,  and  one 
made  up  wholly  of  sacrifices.  They  experienced  a 
vivid  emotion  at  the  sight  of  their  affecting  ceremo- 
nies, of  their  ardor  in  singing  the  praises  of  the  Lord, 
of  their  respectful  attitudes  in  the  holy  place,  and  of 
the  fervor  and  veneration  for  the  Most  High,  manifest 
in  their  looks  and  holy  abstraction.  They  were  espe- 
cially moved  by  the  fervor  of  their  young  novice,  who 
was  far  from  suspecting,  at  this  moment,  that  his  re- 
lations were  the  eye-witnesses  of  his  piety ;  in  spite  of 
themselves,  they  were  forced  to  admire  him,  and  had 
they  come  with  less  unfriendly  designs,  they  would 


178  LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

have  found  something  sublime  in  his  resolution,  and 
would,  wc  have  no  doubt,  have  envied  his  happiness. 

During  this  interval,  the  two  young  ladies  were 
continuing  their  questions  with  the  gate-keeper :  they 
informed  themselves  particularly  of  the  difference 
between  the  novices  and  the  professed  brothers,  and 
of  the  distinctive  marks  between  the  costume  of  each. 
— But  the  mass  is  now  ended ;  Mons.  Ferrer  and  his 
companion  have  returned  to  them,  and  have  scarcely 
had  time  to  recount  all  they  had  seen  during  the  time 
they  were  absent,  when  they  were  warned  that  the  re- 
ligious are  going  to  pass  by,  in  order  to  betake  them- 
selves to  the  fields  for  labor.  In  effect,  scarce  was 
the  warning  given,  when  they  sec  coming  forth  from 
the  monastery  a  long  file  of  religious,  who  cross  the 
court-yard,  and  come  directly  towards  the  outward 
gate.  They  have  no  longer  the  same  costume  they 
had  worn  in  the  choir ;  in  the  latter  place,  thoy  were 
dressed  in  ceremony  :  the  professed  in  a  cowl,  having 
long  and  wide  sleeves  ;  and  the  novices,  in  a  sort  of 
long  cloak,  called  a  "  chappe ;"  but  at  this  time,  they 
are  in  the  costume  for  work ;  namely,  a  simple  scapu- 
lar, wooden  shoes,  and  habit  tucked  up  almost  to  the 
knees.  They  walk  one  after  another  in  single  file, 
and  according  to  seniority;  their  heads  are  covered 
with  their  capuces,  beads  hanging  from  the  girdle  of 
each,  and  a  spade,  or  some  other  instrument  of  agri- 
culture, under  the  left  arm. 

Quickly  and  without  loss  of  time,  the  family  are  on 
the  alert.  The  uncle  arranges  his  little  battery  ;  one 
of  the  superiors  passes  first,  at  the  head  of  his 
company ;  he  alone,  in  conformity  with  the  constitu- 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  179 

tlons  of  the  order,  salutes  the  seculars ;  whilst  the 
other  religious  follow  without  lifting  up  their  eyes,  or 
paying   any   attention    to    what    is   going   on.     The 
community  had   now  almost   passed,  and   he  whom 
they  expected  with  so  much  impatience,  had  not  yet 
made    his   appearance.      Suddenly   he    is    perceived 
nearly  in  the  last  rank ;  at  the  same  time,  a  movement 
towards  him  is  made  by  the  strangers,  they  close  up 
and  approach  nearer  to  him ;  the  sister  can  contain 
herself  no  longer,  a  piercing  cry  escapes  her,  whilst 
the  uncle,  exclaiming,  "ii5  is  he,"  dashes  forward  with 
the  intention  of  seizing  him.     Maria  Ephraim  now 
became  aware  of  what  was  going  on ;  he  recognized 
the  well-known  voice  of  his  dear  sister,  and  had  even 
cast  a  timid  glance  towards  the  spot  whence  the  voice 
proceeded.     His  forehead  is  now  covered  over  with 
a  modest  blush,  but  he,  nevertheless,  had  sufficient 
presence  of  mind  to  observe  the  motion  of  his  uncle, 
and  to  avoid  his  grasp ;  not  because  he  had  no  longer 
for  his  relations  that  affection  of  which  he  gave  them  so 
convincing  proofs,  whilst  living  with  them  in  the  world, 
nor  because  he  was  unwilling  to  see  and  converse  with 
them, — but  because  he  was  a  novice,  and,  therefore, 
obliged  to  observe  certain  rules,  one  of  which  was, — 
and  an  essential  one  too,  that  no  novice  should  either 
see  or  converse  with  any  member  of  his  family  with- 
out the  previously  obtained  permission  of  his  Superior, 
and   that   even   then,    the    master-novice    should    be 
present  at  the  interview.     He  wished  them  to  strictly 
observe  those  formalities,  and  for  that  reason  avoided, 
for  the  present,  coming  in  contact  with  his  uncle,  or 
with  any  other  member  of  his  family.     "  Ow  attempt 


180  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

has  failed  /"  cried  the  uncle ;  and,  in  fact,  his  design 
was  to  seize  upon  his  nephew  hy  force,  and  to  compel 
him,  whether  willing  or  not,  to  go  along  with  him. 
Poor  man  !  Did  he  not  know  how  difficult  it  is  to 
seize  upon  any  one  in  such  a  way, — and  how  more 
difficult  still  it  is,  to  seize  upon  one  under  the 
special  protection  of  the  Almighty !  He  was  some- 
what disconcerted  at  this  signal  failure  of  his 
plan,  and  was  now  obliged  to  turn  to  some  other  ex- 
pedient. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  two  young  ladies  are  no 
longer  mistresses  of  themselves ;  they  can  no  longer 
resist  the  desire  of  seeing  their  relation,  and  of  speak- 
ing to  him.  Giving  loose  to  a  curiosity  very  natural 
to  their  sex,  they  follow  the  footsteps  of  the  religious. 
They  come  up  with  them  working  in  a  vineyard,  and 
observe  them  at  a  distance.  They  approach  nearer, 
little  by  little,  in  order  to  discover  him  whom  they  so 
earnestly  sought ;  but  they  cannot  fully  satisfy  their 
desire,  because  the  religious  are  close  to  one  another, 
and  so  mixed  up,  that  they  find  it  impossible  to  dis- 
cover him.  The  nature  of  the  work  obliges  them  to 
keep  in  a  stooping  position,  and  therefore  it  is  im- 
possible to  distinguish  one  from  the  other.  They, 
however,  do  not  give  over  their  attempt,  and  resolve 
to  approach  so  near  as  not  to  fail  having  a  distinct 
view  of  him  whom  they  sought.  The  Reverend 
Father  Abbot,  who,  that  morning,  had  not  gone  out 
to  work  at  the  same  time  as  the  other  religious,  comes 
up  at  this  moment ;  he  sees  those  two  young  persons, 
whom  he  mistakes  for  some  women  of  the  neighbor- 
ing village,  who,  led  by  an  indiscreet  curiosity,  of  which 


LIFE    OF   FATHER   MAPxIA    EPHRAIM.  181 

hitherto  there  had  been  no  example,  had  trespassed 
on  the  grounds  of  the  monastery.  He,  deeming  him- 
self called  upon  to  put  an  end  to  such  imprudence, 
modestly  approaches,  and  asks  -whether  they  had  any 
particular  business  with  any  one  of  the  religious. 
The  good  ladies  become  embarrassed :  they  answer, 
that  they  only  had  a  desire  to  see  the  Trappists, 
whilst  at  work.  The  Reverend  Abbot  remarks,  in  a 
polite  way,  that  they  should  not  push  their  curiosity 
beyond  the  limits  of  good  manners,  and  that  if  they 
persisted  in  their  present  course  of  proceeding,  he 
would  be  under  the  necessity  of  sending  the  religious 
back  to  the  monastery. 

These  observations  on  the  part  of  the  abbot  were 
just,  and  were  accordingly  felt  by  the  persons  to 
whom  they  were  addressed.  Our  young  ladies  then, 
being  pushed  to  extremities,  could  hold  out  no  longer, 
and  were  under  the  necessity  of  confessing  the  whole 
mystery.  We  have,  said  they,  a  brother  among  those 
religious ;  he  ran  away  from  us  without  taking  leave 
of  the  family  ;  and  the  ardent  desire  we  have  to  see 
him,  is  the  cause  of  our  present  seeming  want  of  good 
manners.  The  Reverend  Father  soon  perceived  the 
thing  as  it  really  was  ;  that  his  novice,  Maria  Ephraim, 
was  the  subject  of  dispute.  You  should  have  explained 
yourself  sooner,  answered  he ;  I  will  call  your  brother  ; 
only  have  the  goodness,  I  pray  you,  to  go  a  little 
farther  off,  in  order  that  ye  may  not  be  seen  by  the 
community.  They  obeyed  his  directions,  whilst  he 
went  himself,  to  speak  to  the  good  brother,  and  inform 
him  of  what  had  just  passed ;  the  latter  also,  in  turn, 
gave  the  Reverend  Father  an  account  of  what  he  had 
16     • 


182  LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

seen,  and  that  he  was  only  waiting  his  arrival  to  have 
an  opportunity  of  informing  him  of  it,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  to  beg  his  permission  to  speak  to  his  re- 
lations. As  they  were  approaching  the  place  where 
the  young  ladies  had  now  stationed  themselves,  they 
saw  at  a  distance,  on  the  road  leading  from  the  mon- 
astery, two  gentlemen,  who  were  running  towards  them 
with  all  their  might.  It  is  my  father  and  my  uncle, 
observed  Maria  Ephraim.  All  now  had  come  to- 
gether; the  interview  takes  place;  and  what  tender 
embraces  were  given,  what  heartfelt  joy  was  felt,  by 
all  parties,  may  be  more  easily  imagined  than  de- 
scribed !  The  Father  Abbot  was,  at  first,  present ; 
but  fearing  that  he  might  cause  some  restraint  on  their 
conversation,  he  withdrew,  giving  the  novice  the 
privilege  of  remaining  alone  with  his  family,  and  of 
conducting  them  to  the  monastery. 

Behold  them  now  reunited  at  last,  and  walking  to- 
wards Aiguebelle,  sometimes  at  a  quick  pace,  some- 
times at  a  slow,  and  not  unfrequently  stopping  alto- 
gether. After  their  first  emotions  were  over,  Mons. 
Ferrer,  turning  sorrowfully  towards  his  son,  said: 
"  Why,  my  dear  son,  have  you  treated  me  after  this 
manner  ?  What  have  I  done  to  deserve  such  treat- 
ment ?  What  sufficiently  strong  motive  can  you  have 
to  determine  you  to  abandon  us  at  the  very  moment 
we  stand  most  in  need  of  your  assistance  and  con- 
solation ?"  Saying  these  words,  he  melted  into  tears, 
whilst  his  daughter  mingled  her  complaints  and  tears 
with  his.  Brother  Ephraim  was  greatly  afi"ected : 
although  a  novice  of  La  Trappe,  his  heart  was  by  no 
means   changed,  and  he  still   retained  ,the  same  af- 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  183 

fection  for  his  relations,  that  he  was  always  remarka- 
ble for ;  he  falls  weeping  upon  his  father's  neck ;  he 
embraces  his  sister  again  and  again ;  "No!"  said  he, 
"  no,  my  dear  father,  I  have  no  reason  to  complain  of 
your  treatment;  but,  on  the  contrary,  am  over- 
whelmed by  your  kindness,  which  I  have  so  little  de- 
served ;  the  friendship  of  all  my  relations  makes  me 
blush  at  my  own  want  of  merit !  But  what  could  I 
do,  my  dear  relations  ?  You,  my  dear  father,  that 
know  all  my  difficulties,  and  the  violent  combats  I 
had  with  myself;  answer  for  me  :  tell  me,  was  there 

any  means  of  resisting  the  designs  of  God  !" 

....  He  could  say  no  more :  the  desolation  in 
which  he  saw  his  family  was  breaking  his  heart ;  and 
he  stood  like  one  confounded.  x\ll  remained  silent : 
nothing  was  heard  but  sobs. 

The  uncle,  who  had  hitherto  spoken  little,  now  com- 
menced :  "That  is  not  the  question,"  said  he ;  "we 
have  come  here  for  thee,  and  home  thou  must  go, 
even  were  we  obliged  to  have  recourse  to  violence  ;  so 
prepare  thyself  to  follow  us,  without  putting  us  under 
that  disagreeable  necessity."  Brother  Ephraim  made 
no  reply,  but  it  was  an  easy  matter  for  his  uncle  to 
see  by  his  manner,  that  he  was  little  disposed  to  obey 
him.  Then,  assuming  a  severe  tone,  he  reproached 
him  with  his  conduct,  which  he  termed  impious  ;  he 
taxed  him  with  cruelty  and  ingratitude  ;  he  brought 
to  mind,  and  depicted  in  a  lively  manner,  the  sad 
position  in  which  he  was  leaving  his  father,  who 
reckoned  upon  him  for  the  very  existence  of  his  name 
and  family ;  the  no  less  unhappy  condition  of  his  only 
sister,  whom  he  was  obliged  to  protect ;  the  affliction 


184  LIFE    OP    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

into  which  he  was  plunging  his  whole  family ;  finally, 
after  a  series  of  appeals  and  reproaches,  needless  to 
be  reproduced  here,  he  besought  him,  by  the  soul  of 
his  dead  mother,  and  by  her  bones  now  mouldering  in 
the  grave,  to  forego  his  mad,  and  (as  he  called  it) 
impious  design,  and  to  return  to  his  father's  house. 
Our  good  brother,  though  overwhelmed  with  such  a 
torrent  of  abuse,  and  affected  by  the  words  of  entreaty, 
maintained,  nevertheless,  a  calmness  and  serenity,  that 
were  manifest  in  his  countenance,  in  spite  of  the 
emotions  of  his  heart,  and  exhibited  no  outward  signs 
of  indignation,  to  which  passion  his  heart  was  entirely 
a  stransrer. 

All  the  time  the  uncle  was  speaking,  the  others 
maintained  a  rigid  silence.  Catharine  appeared  at 
one  time  in  the  attitude  of  despair ;  at  another  time 
in  that  of  expectation,  according  as  she  had  more  or 
less  hope  of  recovering  her  brother.  Her  cousin  had 
scarcely  spoken  a  word ;  she  admired  the  virtue  and 
constancy  of  Brother  Ephraim  ;  and,  so  far  from  com- 
miserating his  lot,  she  was  rather  induced,  in  the 
secret  recesses  of  her  heart,  to  envy  him  his  spiritual 
happiness. 

Mons.  Ferrer,  whose  first  emotion  was  somewhat 
appeased,  appeared  absorbed  in  deep  thought.  He 
seemed  weighed  down  with  chagrin  at  seeing  himself 
deprived  of  a  son  that  formed  his  chief  earthly  hap- 
piness ;  and  at  the  same  time  filled  with  veneration 
for  the  exalted  virtues  of  that  son ;  manifest  proofs 
of  which  were  now  exhibited  before  him.  After  re- 
maining a  considerable  time  thus  concentrated,  he  at 
length  spoke,  and  his  words  were  such  as  they  should 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  185 

bo — words  of  reconciliation.  "  My  son,"  said  he,  "  as 
a  father,  sincerely  attached  to  my  religion,  I  have  con- 
stantly regarded  it  as  my  greatest  obligation  to  give 
you  a  Christian  education ;  my  conscience  bears  wit- 
ness that  I  have  nothing  omitted  tending  to  accom- 
plish that  end.  As  it  would  therefore  be  inconsistent 
in  me  to  wish  to  oppose  myself  to  the  designs  that  the 
Divine  Governor  of  the  world  may  have  upon  you,  I 
here  openly  declare  that  I  have  no  such  intention. 
But  religion  itself  does  not  attribute  as  a  crime  the 
taking  of  prudent  precautions,  in  order  to  assure  our- 
selves that  our  designs  are  suggested  from  on  high.  I, 
therefore,  propose  that  you  return  with  us  to  Perpig- 
nan  ;  that  you  remain  there  with  your  family  during 
a  certain  time, — say,  two  or  three  months, — where 
you  will  be  left  at  full  liberty  to  examine  yourself, 
and  the  strength  of  your  vocation ;  and  if,  at  the  end 
of  that  period,  you  still  persist  in  your  present  deter- 
mination, and  wish  to  return  to  this  place,  I  shall  no 
longer  oppose  you,  nor  place  any  obstacle  in  your 
way." 

This  proposal  was  reasonable  enough ;  at  least,  it 
appeared  so  to  all  interested,  and  that  Brother 
Ephraim  could  not  possibly  find  any  way  to  evade  it. 
Indeed,  he  himself  felt  inclined  to  give  his  family  this 
last  proof  of  affection,  and  to  yield  to  their  urgent 
entreaties.  They  had,  in  the  mean  time,  drawn  near 
the  monastery  ;  the  community  had  just  returned  from 
labor,  and  were  about  entering  at  the  gate.  He  a^lso 
entered  with  them,  in  order  to  speak  to  his  Superior. 
He  related  to  him  all  that  had  just  taken  place  be- 
tween himself  and  relatives,  and  ended  by  laying 
10* 


18G  LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

before  him  the  last  request  of  his  father.  The  Reve- 
rend Abbot  immediately  perceived  that  his  young 
novice  was  inclined  to  yield  his  consent ;  hfe  regarded 
him  with  an  air  almost  of  compassion,  and  said :  My 
dear  Brother  .  .  .  .,  and  then  stopped  short.  I 
understand  you,  added  Brother  Ephraim.  You 
think  that  I  will  be  induced  to  yield  to  temptation, 
and  that  I  will  never  come  back.  It  is  a  dangerous 
trial,  replied  the  Rev.  Father. — Do  not  be  afraid, 
answered  Ephraim ;  God,  who  had  first  conducted  me 
here,  will  find  means  of  bringing  me  back  again  ;  and 
then,  has  not  Mary,  my  tender  mother,  constituted 
herself  my  Protectress  ?  Besides,  I  wish  to  do  nothing 
without  your  approval :  if  you  wish  me  to  remain,  you 
have  only  to  express  such  a  wish ;  but  if  you  author- 
ize me  to  grant  this  satisfaction  to  my  relatives,  you 
will  have  the  charity  to  give  me  your  holy  benediction 
also,  to  promise  me  the  continuation  of  your  pious 
prayers  in  my  favor,  to  recommend  me  from  time  to 
time  to  the  prayers  of  the  community,  and,  with  such 
succor,  I  believe  I  may  guarantee  my  return  at  what- 
ever time  you  may  be  pleased  to  determine.  The 
Father  Abbot  was  truly  astonished  at  the  temper,  and 
still  more,  at  the  confidence  of  his  beloved  novice.  He 
answered  him,  that,  if  he  believed  his  yielding  to  his 
father's  proposal  would  be  the  means  of  mitigating 
the  sorrow  of  his  relatives,  and  if  he  felt  confident  of 
being  able  to  withstand  all  the  attempts  that  would 
probably  be  made  to  weaken  his  vocation,  he,'  on  his 
part,  yielded  his  consent.  They  then  proceeded 
together  to  report  the  result  of  their  deliberation  to 
the   family  that  were  waiting  for  it  with  no  little 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  187 

anxiety,  and  who  did  not  expect  to  find  the  abbot 
so  yielding. 

Scarcely  was  the  joyful  news  made  known  than 
contentment  returned  to  their  breasts ;  conversation 
becomes  general:  they  mutually  congratulate  one 
another  upon  the  prosperous  result  of  their  journey. 
Brother  Ephraim  alone  did  not  partake  of  the  general 
joy  ;  for  he,  alas  !  was  going  to  quit  his  beloved  soli- 
tude. He  requested  his  father  to  renew,  in  presence 
of  the  abbot,  his  promise  of  permitting  him  to  follow 
his  vocation,  in  case  that  he  persisted  in  his  present 
sentiments ; — a  request  that  was  immediately  com- 
plied with.  Dinner  was  then  served  up  for  all  the 
family  in  the  strangers'  reception  room,  which  is  out- 
side the  gate  of  the  monastery.  Brother  Ephraim 
divested  himself  of  his  monastic  habit,  and  resumed 
his  secular  clothes.  He  wept  abundantly  whilst  taking 
leave  of  the  Rev.  Abbot.  I  am  again  about  to  enter 
Babylon,  exclaimed  he,  with  a  countenance  and  in 
accents  of  deep  sorrow ;  you  know  better  than  I,  Rev. 
and  dear  Father  Abbot,  how  much  I  have  to  fear 
from  its  corruption.  The  Rev.  Father  embraced  him, 
gave  him  his  benediction,  promised  him  the  prayers 
of  the  community,  and  engaged  himself  to  offer  the 
Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  in  honor  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  every  Saturday  until  his  return,  or  until  he 
could  be  certainly  informed  that  he  would  return  no 
more.  All  this  consoled  him  a  little,  and  he  went  to 
rejoin  his  family.  "/  shall  he  bach  before  harvest,'' 
were  his  last  words  to  the  door-keeper,  as  he  issued 
from  the  monastery. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

BROTHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM    ARRIVES     AT    PERPIGNAN  :     HIS     SOJOURNING 
WITH    HIS   FAMILY.      HE    RETURNS    TO    AIGUEBELLE. 

The  carriage  now  rolled  away  on  the  road  to  Ninies, 
bearing  our  travellers,  well  pleased  with  the  success  of 
their  journey.     All  were  in  high  spirits ;  all,  except 
Brother  Maria  Ephraim,  who  had  now  become  again 
Mons.    Vincent.      He    appeared    much    cast    down, 
for,  indeed,  his  heart  was  the  seat  of  deep  melan- 
choly.     What!    said   he,    to    himself,    have    I   then 
permitted  the  demands  of  the  natural  man  to  have  a 
greater  influence  over  me  than  the  calls  of  Divine 
Grace  !     Did   not    God,  whose   will   was    so   visibly 
manifest  in  regard  to  my  unworthy  person,  deserve  to 
be  preferred  to  the  desires  of  flesh  and  blood  ?     He 
was    sorry   for    having  yielded.     One    thought    only 
afforded  him  some  little  consolation.     He  felt  com- 
forted when  he  reflected  that  he  had  not  deserted  the 
service  of  the  Lord  through  caprice,  but  that  he  had 
obtained  the  permission  of  his  spiritual  superior,  and 
was  acting  in  obedience  to  that  permission.     I  will 
turn  back,  said  he  to   himself ;  I  will  turn  back  in- 
stantly, and  expiate  my  weakness  by  a  strict  observ- 
ance of  my  religious  duties.     Vainly  his  companions, 
who  soon  noticed  the  prostrate  state  of  his  mind,  en- 
deavored to  cheer  him,  and  to  draw  his  attention  to 
something  else.     He  returned  in  a  moment  to  the 
same   train   of   thought ;    everything  he  saw  in   the 
(188) 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  189 

world  inspired  him  with  a  kind  of  horror,  and  made 
him  regret  his  beloved  solitude,  away  from  which  it 
seemed  to  him  impossible  to  live.  These  various 
thoughts  made  such  progress  in  his  soul,  that  he  could 
no  longer  resist  them.  Upon  his  arrival  at  Nimes,  he 
made  his  escape,  without  saying  a  word  to  any  one, 
and  resumed  in  all  haste  the  road  he  had  just  passed 
over.  His  absence  was  soon  perceived,  together  with 
the  cause  of  it ;  ho  is  pursued  and  overtaken,  and  it 
was  not  without  recurring  to  force  that  they  were  able 
to  bring  him  back.  All  these  circumstances  did  not 
tend  to  render  our  travellers  very  well  pleased,  whilst 
they  greatly  diminished  the  joy  for  the  obtained 
'victory.  What  is  the  use  of  our  proceeding  farther 
in  this  affair  ?  whispered  one  to  the  other ;  the  monas- 
tery is  henceforth  for  him  a  loadstone,  which  attracts 
him  unceasingly.  Little  was  wanting  that  they  did 
not  openly  express  their  regret  for  having  proceeded 
so  far  in  the  affair.  But  the  uncle  was  not  of  this 
opinion ;  he  found  it  very  natural  that  the  young 
Vincent,  so  remarkable  for  his  affectionate  disposition, 
should  be  grieved  at  parting  from  his  new  friends, 
and  laid  all  hopes  of  being  able  to  bring  him  over  to 
his  own  manner  of  thinking  upon  the  allurements  of  a 
residence  in  the  bosom  of  his  family. 

The  journey  was  now  continued  without  any  other 
occurrence  worthy  of  remark,  and  in  due  time  they 
arrived  at  Perpignan.  It  was  late  when  they  entered 
the  city.  The  next  morning,  Vincent  hastened  to  the 
church  of  Saint  James,  and  after  praying  and  recom- 
mending himself  to  God,  he  then  went  to  throw  him- 
self into  the  arms  of  his  dear  director  and  worthy 


190  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPURAIM. 

friend,  the  Abbe  G  *  *  *.  The  demon  has  con- 
quered, said  he,  whilst  embracing  him,  but  I  feel 
confident  that  his  victory  will  not  be  of  long  dura- 
tion. 

He  then  gave  him  a  short  account  of  what  had 
occurred,  reserving  a  more  detailed  history  for  a  more 
favorable  opportunity  :  he  also  went  to  confession,  and 
received  the  holy  communion  on  the  same  day. 

During  the  whole  time  that  Mens.  Vincent  remained 
at  Perpignan,  he  was  constantly  a  model  of  edifica- 
tion for  all  those  who  had  the  happiness  to  approach 
him.  His  arriving  from  an  interesting  journey  to 
Paris,  where  he  had  seen  so  many  remarkable  things, 
and  a  description  of  which  he  had  promised  to  give 
\ipon  his  return,  was  entirely  lost  sight  of:  his  friends 
only  saw  in  him  the  fervent  Christian,  forcibly  taken 
from  La  Trappe,  from  which  place  he  brought  with 
him  an  abundant  harvest  of  the  most  affecting  virtues, 
the  sight  of  which  commanded  the  admiration  of  all. 
He  was  for  a  long  time  strictly  watched,  lest  he  might 
endeavor  to  escape  again,  as  he  had  done  at  Nimes ; 
but  upon  formally  promising  his  father  that  he  would 
not  make  any  such  attempt  without  giving  previous 
notice,  he  was  suffered  to  be  more  at  liberty.  This 
liberty,  it  is  needless  to  say,  was  only  used  for  the 
Bake  of  giving  himself  more  ardently  to  the  practice 
of  every  virtue. 

His  family  were  not  forgetful  that  a  certain  limited 
time  only  was  granted  to  prove  Vincent's  vocation ; 
and  that  at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  he  was  likely 
to  return  to  his  former  mode  of  life.  Every  means 
was,  therefore,  made  use  of,  in  order  to  turn  him  off 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  191 

from  his  design,  or,  at  least,  to  stagger  his  resolution. 
But  it  was  impossible  to  engage  him  in  things  of  the 
world:  societies  that  were  before  a  pleasure,  had  now 
become  burdensome;  amusements  the  most  innocent 
and  the  most  lawful,  afforded  him  nothing  but  feelings 
of  lassitude  and  disgust. 

His  uncle,  above  all,  the  one  who  was  chiefly  instru- 
mental in  taking  him  by  force — we  may  so  call 
it — from  Aicjuebelle,  and  who  had  treated  him  so 
harshly  on  that  occasion,  did  not  wish  to  lose  the 
fruits  of  his  labor ;  he  brought  him  severely  to  task 
for  the  severe  manners  he  assumed,  and,  assisted  by 
some  friends  of  the  family,  he  endeavored  to  make 
him  believe  "  that  the  Trappists  are  a  wretched  set  of 
men,  whom  a  moment  of  enthusiasm,  ephemeral  as  all 
such  fervid  movements  are,  had  engaged  under  a  yoke 
of  iron ;  that  they  soon  repent  of  their  folly,  and 
become  a  prey  to  melancholy  and  regret ;  that  in 
embracing  such  a  state  of  Hfe,  men  capable  of  becom- 
ing useful  members  of  society,  shut  themselves  up  in 
sepulchre-like  prisons,  in  which  they  vegetate  and  lead 
a  useless  life ;  that,  so  far  from  pleasing  God  by 
their  absurd  practices,  they  even  offend  Him  by  the 
criminal  austerities  of  a  homicidal  rule ;  finally,  he 
went  so  far  as  to  insinuate,  that  the  Trappists  affected 
a  love  towards  his  person  in  order  to  get  possession  of 
his  fortune;  knowing  well  that  they  could  not  reach 
the  latter  but  through  means  of  the  former."  We  will 
see  in  the  following  chapter  what  ought  to  be  thought 
of  these  accusations  and  of  these  calumnies.  Vincent 
knew  well  that  all  he  could  say  would  have  little 
weight  on  minds  blinded  by  passion  and  prejudice. 


192  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

He,  therefore,  restricted  himself  to  simply  answering, 
that  he  had  happily  experienced  the  kind  of  life  he 
wished  to  embrace,  and  that  he  knew  what  was  best 
for  himself:  he  afforded  himself,  in  the  mean  time,  good- 
tempered,  affable,  and  even  polite  towards  those  by 
whom  he  was  thus  harshly  treated ;  without,  however, 
giving  up  the  point  in  dispute,  or  suffering  himself  to 
be  influenced  by  their  misrepresentations. 

The  conversations  he  had  from  time  to  time  with 
his  confessor,  contributed  not  a  little  to  keep  him  in 
those  pious  sentiments ;  but  what  strengthened  him 
more  than  anything  else  was  an  uninterrupted  cor- 
respondence he  kept  up  with  his  Rev.  Abbot.  To 
him  were  confided  all  his  difficulties;  his  letters 
mostly  ending  with  deploration  of  the  length  of  time 
he  was  kept  from  his  beloved  solitude,  and  expressions 
of  anxiety  for  the  arrival  of  the  time,  when  he  could 
ap-ain  embrace  his  former  mode  of  life.  The  Rev. 
Father  had  been  truly  affected  at  the  departure  of 
this  dear  novice ;  all  the  community  shared  his  trouble, 
for  the  subject  of  it  had,  in  the  short  time  he  was 
among  them,  endeared  himself  to  every  one ;  they 
were  accordingly  rejoiced  at  receiving  the  consoling 
news  of  his  perseverance.  The  Rev.  Father,  in  par- 
ticular, was  diffuse  in  heartfelt  thanks  to  the  great 
Giver  of  all  good,  and  was  convinced  that  the  great 
trials  he  was  undergoing  were  to  be  looked  upon  as 
the  most  indubitable  proofs  of  vocation.  He  found 
the  means  of  having  conveyed  to  him  some  letters, 
destined  to  give  him  strength  in  his  difficulties.  We 
are  happy  to  have  it  in  our  power  to-  lay  before  the 
readers  one    of  these   letters;    the    more   so,    as    it 


LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPURAIM.  lOo 

depicts   to   the    life    the    soul    of    this    worthy    Su- 
perior. 

"  Aiguebelle,  March  IStli,  1838. 

My  very  dear  Son  in  Jesus  Christ, 

I  return  thanks  to   God  for  the  good  senti- 
ments He  maintains  in  your  heart ;  indeed,  it  would 
be  impossible  for  me  to  express  all  that  I  have  felt 
since  your  departure  from  the  house  of  the  Lord.     I 
have  recommended  you  to  the  prayers  of  our  fervent 
religious,  and  of  your  excellent   brother-novices,  all 
of  whom  have  been  much  afflicted  at  your  separation 
from  them.    Yesterday  (Saturday)  I  applied  the  Holy 
Mass  for  you,  and  have  oflfered  it  in  honor  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  who,  I  am  confident,  will  soon  bring 
you  back   to   this   house.     I   do  not  let  a  day  pass 
without  recommending  you   to   God,   because    I   am 
almost  certain  of  your  vocation ;  indeed,  one  should 
be  very  blind  not  to  see  a  miracle  of  Divine  Grace,  in 
your  assumption  of  the  religious  habit.     You  confess, 
that    you  were   somewhat  weak  in  yielding   to  the 
wishes  of  your  relations  :  Jesus  Christ,  it  is  true,  did 
not  descend  from  the   cross  to  console  his  mother, 
whom  he  left  all  alone  in  the  hands  of  strangers.  .  .  . 
But  be  of  good   cheer ;  we  will  keep  our  hands  up- 
lifted towards  heaven,  until  our  dear  brother  triumph 
over  his  enemies,  and  re-enter  the  citadel.    The  Holy 
Mother  of  God  has  never  yet  refused  me  anything  I 
prayed  for,  conducive  to  the  honor  of  her  Son.     She 
has  given  me  the  sweet  confidence  that  her  servant. 
Brother  Maria  Ephraim,  shall  not    perish.     I   shall 
offer  on  every   Saturday   the   Holy  Sacrifice  of  the 
17 


194  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

Mass  for  you,  until  your  return ;  for  return  you  will, 
I  feel  almost  certain." 

Letters  such  as  this,  filled  the  heart  of  Vincent 
with  new  ardor ;  he  sighed  for  the  moment  that  he 
would  be  disengaged  from  the  ties  that  bound  him, 
his  heart  unceasingly  being  borne  towards  Aiguebelle, 
as  towards  its  centre.  At  last,  he  could  contain  him- 
self no  longer ;  he  had  now  passed  nearly  two  months 
at  Perpignan, — a  little  more  than  half  the  time  his 
relations  had  requested :  he  decided  then  to  address 
himself  to  his  father,  and  earnestly  beg  his  permission 
to  follow  in  the  way  the  Lord  Himself  had  marked 
out  for  him.  The  good  Mons.  Ferrer  was  well  aware, 
that  the  hopes  of  being  able  to  retain  him,  were  falla- 
cious ;  for  the  life  his  son  led  since  his  return  to  the 
paternal  roof,  made  him  clearly  see,  that  that  gene- 
rous and  devoted  soul  was  not  fit  for  the  world,  whose 
ways  he  so  much  detested.  He  durst  not,  there- 
fore, go  against  the  designs  of  God,  by  opposing 
any  longer  the  pious  desires  of  his  son:  he  simply 
requested  a  delay  of  a  few  more  days.  Vincent, 
who  did  not  expect  so  propitious  an  answer  to 
his  petition,  gave  thanks  to  the  Author  of  all  good, 
and  secretly  made  preparations  for  his  new  de- 
parture. 

That  day  was  now  fast  approaching.  Vincent 
could  not  restrain  his  joy  at  seeing  himself  in  pos- 
session of  the  holy  liberty  of  the  true  children  of  God  ; 
he  experienced,  however,  some  fear  from  other  con- 
siderations. Being  an  affectionate  and  respectful 
son ;  an  excellent  brother ;  he  was  troubled  by  the 
grief  of  a  beloved  father;  by  the   sorrow  of  a  sister 


LIFE    OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  195 

whom   he  excessively  loved.     It  would  certainly  be 
entertaining  a  false  notion  of  saints,  to  consider  them 
as  beings  apart,  of  a  different  nature  from  our  own, 
and  strangers  to  all  natural  affections,  or  weakness, 
as  it  is  sometimes   called;  but  which,  nevertheless, 
binds  men  among   themselves,  as  members   of  one 
body,  children  of  one  father,  citizens  of  the  same 
country,  when  it  is  consecrated  by  virtue.     Religion, 
far  from  condemning,  strengthens  and  purifies   the 
sentiments  of  our  heart;    it  shows  us  a  Man-God 
weeping  on  the  tomb  of  his  friend  Lazarus,  in  order 
to  teach  us  how  to  sanctifv  our  tears,  when  lawful 
tenderness  and  just  grief  cause  them  to  flow.     Let  us 
not  then  be  surprised  that  Vincent  was  a  prey  to  the 
unutterable  bitterness  that  comes  sometimes  to  tor- 
ture the  heart  of  man.    To  reach  God,  he  was  obliged 
to  put  in  practice  the  terrifying  advice  of  the  inflexi- 
ble solitary  of  Bethlehem.    His  ears  were  unceasingly 
ringing  with  these  words  of  the  Gospel,  "  Whoever 
loves  father  and  mother  more  than  me,  is  not  worthy 
of  me."     Saint  Chrysostom  passed  through  a  similar 
ordeal,  when  a  love  of  solitude  was  about  to  snatch 
him  from  the  arms  of  his  virtuous  and  affectionate 
mother,  who,  leading  him  to  the  place  of  his  birth, 
had  accosted  him  in  the  most  heart-rending  accents 
of  grief.     Vincent,  too,  at  the  moment  of  departure, 
was  assailed  by  two  contrary  affections : — the  natural 
love  due  to  his  relations,  and  the  obedience  due  to 
the  voice  of  God,  so  manifestly  speaking  to  his  con- 
science ;  that  powerful  voice  that  nothing  can  resist, 
and  that  cries  out  to  him  to  abandon  the  roof  that 
received  him  at  his  birth,  and  everything  he  holds 


196  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

dearest  in  the  world,  in  order  to  follow  Jesus  Christ. 
The  poor  father  prayed,  conjured  his  son  to  have 
compassion  upon  him ;  in  tears,  he  entwined  him  in 
his  arms,  and  pressing  him  to  his  heart,  spoke  in  a 
tone  of  lamentation:  "My  son,"  said  he,  "  why  do 
you  wish  to  abandon  me  ?  Alas  !  my  dear  Vincent, 
why  do  you  wish  to  leave  me."  His  sister  and  cousin 
clung  to  his  knees,  and  raised  a  cry  that  went  to  his 
very  heart.  What  a  cruel  moment  for  such  a  son  as 
Vincent !  A  frightful  conflict  of  thoughts  and  senti- 
ments horribly  tormented  his  soul ;  it  was  so  hard  for 
him  to  be  obliged  to  divest  himself  thus  of  all  the 
most  pleasing  and  the  most  lawful  affections  of  nature ! 
it  was  so  killing  to  ^him  to  be  obliged  to  sacrifice  all 
his  tenderness  towards  a  father  and  a  sister  so  ten- 
derly loved,  and  so  worthy  of  being  so !  But,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  will  of  God,  calling  him  far  from  his 
family,  was  so  manifest !  He  was,  however,  obliged 
to  pronounce  the  terrible  and  decisive  word  that  cut 
off  all  farther  hope,  if  they  still  entertained  any,  of 
being  able  to  turn  him  off  from  his  determination. 
Then,  indeed,  Vincent  trembled  in  all  his  limbs; 
frightful  convulsions  took  possession  of  his  faculties ; 
nevertheless,  his  courage  sustains  him  to  the  end; 
and  he  has  afterwards  confessed,  that  this  last  was 
the  greatest  temptation  he  had  ever  undergone, 
and  that  he  would  have  unavoidably  succumbed, 
were  he  not  assisted  by  a  special  grace  from  on 
high.  Immediately  after  this  glorious  but  ter- 
rible victory,  he  made  his  escape  from  his  father's 
house,  and  without  bidding  adieu  to  any  one,  he 
quits  Perpignan,  and  takes  the  road  to  Aiguebelle. 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  197 

It  is  thus  that,  after  having  renounced,  for  the 
love  of  God,  riches,  pleasures,  and  all  the  seduc- 
tive enchantments  of  the  world;  for  the  love  of 
God  also,  he  leaves  father,  sister,  relations,  friends 
and  country. 
17^ 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

ANSWERS  TO  SOME  ERUONEOUS  NOTIONS  ENTERTAINED  OF,  AND  TO 
SOME  FALSE  ACCUSATIONS  MADE  AGAINST,  TEE  COMMUNITIES  AND 
BROTHERHOOD    OF    LA    TRAPPE. 

Whilst  our  young  novice  is  prosecuting  his  journey 
back  to  his  monastery,  let  us  be  permitted  to  lose 
sight  of  him  for  a  while,  whilst  we  examine  some  few 
of  the  erroneous  notions  entertained  of  the  monastic 
life  in  general,  and  of  that  of  La  Trappe  in  particular, 
and  which  have  been  made  use  of  as  arguments,  in 
order  to  turn  Vincent  from  his  intention  of  conse- 
crating himself  to  the  service  of  God.  We  do  this 
the  more  willingly,  whereas  such  prejudices  are  widely 
spread  among  people  of  the  world,  who  bring  them 
forward  on  all  occasions,  in  order  to  villify  and  blacken 
a  respectable  state,  and  to  devote  to  contempt,  or,  at 
least,  to  pity,  a  class  of  men  that  deserves  esteem  and 
admiration,  ^e  will  examine  separately  each  accu- 
sation :  may  we  be  able  to  enlighten  our  readers 
thereon,  and  communicate  to  them  our  own  con- 
victions, or,  at  least,  cause  them  to  be  more  just  in 
their  conclusions. 

"The  Trappists,"  they  assert,  "are  an  unhappy 
race  of  beings,  whom  a  moment  of  mistaken  fervor 
had  induced  to  bow  their  necks  to  a  yoke  of  iron ; 
they  are,  for  the  most  part,  slaves,  abhorring  their 
chains,  and  are  retained  in  such  an  unnatural  state  of 
life  only  by  the  impossibility  of  dissolving  the  sacred 
tie,  or  by  the  despotic  ascendency  of  the  directors  of 
(198) 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  109 

their  conscience."  This  first  accusation  properly  con- 
tains two :  1st,  The  Trappists  bind  themselves  in  a 
moment  of  mistaken  fervor ;  2nd,  They  are  an  un- 
happy race  of  beings,  &c. 

FIRST    ACCUSATION. 
The  Trappists  bind  themselves  in  a  moment  of  mistaken  fervor. 

It  is  easy  to  perceive  how  false  and  full  of  calumny 
this  first  accusation  is,  when  we  reflect  upon  the 
severe  trials  to  which  Vincent  was  subjected,  when 
first  he  asked  admission  to  the  noviciate  at  Aiguebelle, 
and  if  we  follow  the  frightful  scries  of  painful  usages 
which  follow  in  that  course  of  life  he  desired  to  em- 
brace ;  usages,  surely,  that  are  rather  fitted  to  repel 
any  aspirant,  than  to  inspire  him  with  enthusiasm. 
But  these  are  not  the  only  precautions  which  a 
superior,  who  is  himself  deeply  interested  in  the  kind 
of  subjects  he  has  to  govern,  puts  in  practice,  in  order 
not  to  incorporate  in  his  congregation  any  but  mem- 
bers who  give  evidence  of  being  called  by  God. 
After  his  reception,  the  young  novice  is  confided  to 
the  care  of  one  of  the  professed  and  long-tried  fathers, 
called  the  Master  of  Novices,  whose  duty  it  is  to  ex- 
plain to  him  the  rule  under  which  he  is  to  fight,  and 
the  engagements  he  is  going  to  contract.  lie  ex- 
plains to  him  all  its  extent,  and  all  its  austerities, 
many  times  a  week.  The  novice  himself,  during  his 
year  of  noviceship,  is  frequently  called  upon  in  full 
chapter,  to  renew  his  solemn  petition  of  being  re- 
ceived; he  is  warned,  each  time  that  he  is  thus  called 
upon,  that  he  is  yet  free,  and  at  full  liberty  to  re- 
tract, without  any  conscientious  scruples  ;    but  that 


200  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

■when  the  last  step  is  taken,  that  is,  when  he  has  made 
a  solemn  profession,  he  is  then  irretrievably  bound  for 
life.  At  the  same  time,  the  rule  obliges  the  superior 
to  exercise  the  novice  in  all  sorts  of  humiliations,  in 
season  and  out  of  season;  such  are  the  words  of  the 
rule.  In  every  community,  be  it  ever  so  small,  there 
are  always  some  duties  and  offices  fatiguing  and 
humiliating ;  it  is  to  the  novices,  and  to  the  choir- 
novices  more  especially,  such  employments  are  com- 
mitted. After  having  passed  through  these  diflferent 
trials,  the  novice  is  not  even  then  admitted  to  pro- 
fession until  all  the  community,  assembled  in  a  kind 
of  conclave  and  by  secret  scrutiny,  give  their  votes 
in  his  favor ;  and  he  himself,  unsolicited  by  any  one, 
demands  the  privilege  of  pronouncing  his  vows.  Now, 
we  ask  in  all  candor,  is  such  a  manner  of  proceeding 
likely  to  lead  to  legerity  of  purpose  and  mistaken 
fervor  ?  and  more  especially,  when  it  is  considered, 
that  he  who  thus  binds  himself,  is  not  authorized  to 
do  so,  until  he  has  entered  his  twenty-first  year,  when 
he  is  the  most  capable,  through  maturity  of  under- 
standing, to  form  a  judgment  of  his  own  proceedings, 
and  when,  so  far  from  following  the  impulses  of 
nature,  he  has  most  frequently  to  contend  against  the 
most  violent  opposition,  and  trample  upon  the  voice 
of  his  passions  and  of  his  natural  ajQfections  !  Would 
to  God  that  such  precautions  were  used  by  men  of 
the  world,  when  about  to  engage  in  occupations  not 
less  dangerous,  certainly,  and  much  more  liable  to 
bitter  and  frequent  regrets  ! 


LIFE    OF  FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  201 

SECOND  ACCUSATION. 
The  Trappista  arc  unhappy  hcinrju. 

And  people  living  in  the  turmoil  of  the  world  dare 
make  use  of  such  language  !  Are  such  people  capa- 
ble of  judging  in  such  a  matter  ?  or,  do  thej  know 
what  happiness  really  is,  to  be  competent  judges  of 
the  method  of  finding  it  ?  Alas  !  were  it  permitted 
to  examine  the  folds  of  the  human  heart,  what  wretch- 
edness would  be  seen  accompanying  souls  tormented 
by  the  pursuits  of  ambition,  of  glory,  of  riches,  and 
even  of  science  !  What  an  abundant  source  of  chagrin, 
solicitude,  and  desolating  disappointments  would  we 
discover  in  the  lives  of  soldiers,  merchants,  and  of  those 
who  give  themselves  up  to  the  cultivation  of  letters, 
were  we  only  disposed  to  examine  them  attentively  ! 
And  if  we  compare  such  a  manner  of  living  with  the 
consolation,  tranquillity  and  undisturbed  peace  of 
mind  enjoyed  by  the  humble  inhabitant  of  the  cloister ; 
oh !  how  often  would  we  be  led  to  exclaim :  Better  is 
the  peaceful  life  of  the  "modest  and  humble  Trappist ! 
On  the  other  hand,  if  from  the  life  of  the  public  man, 
or  of  the  man  whose  existence  is  bound  up  with 
society,  we  pass  to  that  of  the  private  individual,  who 
seems  to  have  no  other  solicitude  than  the  care  of  his 
domestic  aifairs,  we  need  not  go  very  far  to  be  as- 
sured that  even  the  best  regulated  families  are  not 
always  exempt  from  chagrin  and  trouble.  Yes,  the 
sentiment  of  the  holy  patriarch,  Job,  has  been,  and 
always  will  be,  verified,  "  Man  born  of  woman  lives 
but  a  short  time,  yet  this  life,  short  as  it  is,  is  fraught 
with  miseries:  in  all  places,  egotism,  ambition  and 


202  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

vanity  divide  the  human  heart."  If  it  were  true,  then, 
that  we  could  shelter  ourselves  from  such  storms  in 
any  place  upon  earth,  this  place,  it  may  be  reason- 
ably supposed,  should  be  the  calm  monastic  retreat, 
and  in  the  midst  of  the  tranquil  life  of  its  peace- 
able inhabitants.  And,  truly,  there  exist  among  them 
none  of  those  excitements  we  have  just  mentioned ; 
equality  in  the  relations  of  life,  the  same  interests, 
the  happiness  of  living  in  common,  everything,  in  fine, 
tends  to  strengthen  their  union  and  peace.  In  the 
world,  on  the  contrary,  opposite  interests  are  the 
cause  of  disunion ;  whilst  rival  virtues  only  tend  to 
unite  more  closely  those  men,  whom  the  spirit  of  God 
assembles  from  different  countries,  from  different  con- 
ditions and  from  diiferent  employments ;  and  who 
have  only  one  prominent  desire, — that  of  forgetting 
all  passing  and  past  events,  in  order  to  give  them- 
selves up  wholly  to  God,  and  to  religious  truths  that 
can  never  pass  away.  A  man  frequently  goes  through 
life,  without  ever  having  met  with  a  friend ;  we  mean, 
a  true  and  disinterested  friend ;  he  may  pass  his  days 
in  afilictions  and  calamities,  unassisted  by  the  men 
who  surround  him,  and  creating  no  sympathy  in  their 
bosoms.  It  is  not  thus  in  the  holy  solitude  of  La 
Trappe ;  each  religious  has  as  many  friends  as  he  has 
brothers  in  religion,  for  they  are  all  one  family,  de- 
voted and  ready  to  sacrifice  themselves  for  one  an- 
other, having  everything  in  common,  and  the  bond 
that  unites  them  gaining  strength  from  their  charity 
being  an  emanation  of  the  divine  love,  to  which,  as  to 
a  common  centre,  all  their  words,  thoughts  and  ac- 
tions have  a  tendency.     The  poor  humble  religious 


LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  203 

that  exclaimed,  after  a  day  of  labor  and  penance, 
"  My  God,  I  know  not,  if  you  are  satisfied  with  me, 
but  I  am  perfectly  satisfied  with  you,"  may  serve  as 
an  example  of  the  holy  joy  inseparable  from  a  retired 
and  penitential  life.  Indeed,  the  voice'of  the  passions 
being  stilled  by  penance,  austerities  have  also  their 
own  enjoyments,  and  the  God  whom  they  seek  after, 
will  never  hide  himself  from  his  servants,  or  forget 
them. 

But  our  sole  authority  to  establish  the  happiness 
of  the  religious  state,  would,  by  itself,  be  of  little  con- 
sequence ;  we  can,  however,  support  it  by  the  autho- 
rity of  others  also.  Among  the  many  illustrious 
testimonies  we  could  bring  forward,  we  will  cite  only 
two :  these,  we  trust,  will  be  found  sufficient  and 
competent,  both  having  drunk  of  the  two  cups  : — that 
of  the  world  and  the  one  of  religious  solitude.  They 
both  performed  an  active  part  in  the  world,  and  are 
therefore  more  capable  of  forming  a  just  estimate  of 
it ;  both,  also,  before  the  end  of  their  mortal  career, 
took  refuge  from  worldly  concerns  in  the  bosom  of 
solitude,  and  are  therefore  able  to  speak  from  experi- 
ence of  the  comparative  merits  of  the  two  states. 

Our  first  testimony,  then,  shall  be  that  of  Mons. 
Clausel  de  Coussergues,  member  of  the  illustrious 
family  of  that  name,  known  to  such  advantage  by  the 
whole  of  France,  and  also  brother  of  the  present 
bishop  of  Chartres.  He  was  for  many  years  a  dis- 
tinguished officer  in  the  military  service  of  his 
country,  nor  did  he  quit  that  service,  until  the  peace 
had  rendered  his  services  unnecessary.  Talented,  and 
educated  in   accordance  with  his  birth,   he,   in   the 


204  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

prime  of  life,  after  having  experienced  the  pleasures 
of  a  life  of  luxury  and  refinement,  and  at  an  age 
when  he  could  still  be  beloved  and  sought  for  by  the 
Avorld,  broke  oif  all  connection  with  it,  in  order  to  em- 
brace the  monastic  profession.  He  declares  that  he 
is  happy,  perfectly  happy  under  a  Trappist  habit ;  in 
all  his  letters,  he  repeats  that  solitude  is  more  agree- 
able to'  him  than  the  noble  and  select  society  to 
which  his  rank  in  the  world  gave  him  free  access. 

"  I  am  perfectly  contented  in  my  state  of  life," 
says  he,  in  one  of  his  letters,  "  nor  have  I  suifered  the 
slightest  attack  of  sickness,  nor  experienced  any  other 
trouble  since  my  arrival  at  La  Trappe,  than  a  little 
cold  in  the  morning,  when  going  to  labor  in  the 
fields.  The  rule  is  severe,  but  the  superiors  are 
charity  itself.  Indeed,  people  accuse  our  Father 
Abbot  of  being  too  good  ;  I  do  not  find  that  a  great 
defect,  and  if  it  is,  it  is  surely  a  holy  one.  .  .  .  With- 
out ever  speaking,  the  brothers  are  full  of  friendship 
for  one  another ;  if  any  one  become  relaxed  in  his 
religious  duties,  or  in  the  observance  of  the  rule,  all 
are  sorry  for  him,  he  is  prayed  for,  and  p,dvised  with 
the  greatest  mildness. 

The  season  of  Lent  is  the  most  austere  time :  when 
I  entered  the  monastery,  it  was  at  that  season ;  I  did 
as  the  couriers,  who  are  at  first  exercised  by  wearing 
leaden  soles  to  their  shoes. 

Every  evening  after  Complins,  all  assemble  at  the 
sound  of  the  bell  to  sing  the  Salve  Regina.  The  sing- 
ing lasts  a  quarter  of  an  hour ;  it  is  very  beautifulj 
and  sufficient  of  itself  to  refresh  one  from  all  the 
fatigues  of  the  day.     The  more  one   suffers  for  the 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MAllIA   EPHRAIM.  205 

love  of  God,  the  happier  he  is  in  the  thought  of  rcach- 
ino-  heaven  at  last :  he  rejoices  whilst  reflecting  that 
*the  life  of  man  is  but  as  the  flower  of  the  field.' 
This  is  one  of  the  advantages  of  a  reli- 
gious life,  that  everything  which  announces  the  tomb 
and  a  speedy  dissolution,  causes  as  much  joy  in  that 
state  as  it  does  of  sadness  in  the  world.  There  is  no 
beggar  so  badly  fed  as  we  are,  and  yet  there  cannot 
be  found  one  of  us  who  would  exchange  his  miserable 
condition  for  an  empire.  In  this  world,  inevitable 
death  hastens  to  make  no  distinction  between  the 
emperor  and  the  monk  ;  both  depart,  each  taking  with 
him  only  his  past  works :  the  monk  rejoices  to  have 
sown  in  the  midst  of  tears ;  days  of  evil  are  passed, 
days  of  eternal  joy  succeed. 

I  saw  one  of  our  brothers  die.  Ah !  if  you  knew 
the  consolation  experienced  at  the  moment  of  death ! 
the  triumph  over  death  itself!  Our  Reverend  Father 
Abbot  asked  him:  Well,  my  dear  brother,  are  you 
now  sorry  to  have  suffered  some  little  ?  I  confess,  to 
my  shame,  that  I  felt  an  inward  desire  of  dying,  like 
those  cowardly  soldiers  that  demand  their  discharge 
before  their  term  of  service  has  expired." 

We  will  add  to  the  foregoing  satisfactory  evidence 
another,  from  the  experience  of  Mens.  Charles  Saul- 
nier  de  Beauregard ;  a  man  of  an  illustrious  Burgun- 
dian  family,  who  had  been  a  doctor  of  Sorbonne,  and 
who  has  lately  died,  whilst  superior  of  the  monastery 
of  La  Trappe  of  Melleray :  it  is  an  extract  from  a 
letter  he  wrote  to  his  family : 

"  I  must  needs   affirm,  my  dear  father,  that  the 
past  six  years,  during  which  I  have  had  the  happiness 
18 


206  LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

of  being  a  religious,  have  been,  in  every  way  and 
without  any  comparison,  the  sweetest  moments  of  my 
life,  although  I  can  lay  no  claim  to  the  virtues  of  the 
good  and  holy  brothers  that  have  deigned  to  admit 
me  into  their  community.  Among  them  I  live  in 
contentment ;  I  see  years  pass  over  my  head  with 
astonishing  rapidity.  I  have  not  had,  during  my 
noviciate,  one  sole  moment  of  disgust  or  mental  anxiety 
on  account  of  my  condition,  and  since  I  have  had  the 
happiness  of  pronouncing  my  vows,  that  condition 
has  become  more  and  more  dear  to  me,  and  I  would 
not  change  it  for  all  that  the  world  possesses  most 
pleasing  and  delicious.  Do  not  for  this  suppose  me 
far  advanced  in  perfection.  Oh,  no !  I  am  the  last 
of  my  brothers  on  that  score.  All  are  happy  and 
content.  That  penance  whose  exterior  offers  to  the 
eyes  of  the  world  nothing  but  what  is  austere  and  re- 
pulsive, is,  in  itself,  full  of  consolation  and  sweetness. 
Crucem  vident,  unctionem  non  vident :  the  world  only 
sees  the  punishment,  it  is  blind  to  the  pleasures. 
Penacne  is  like  an  orange,  the  rind  of  which  only  is 
bitter.  I  am,  nevertheless,  in  as  good  health,  not- 
withstanding our  fasts,  and  wretched  food,  and  in  as 
good  spirits,  notwithstanding  our  rigorous  silence,  as 
you  had  ever  known  me.  But  this  is  not  all ;  for  in 
the  midst  of  all  the  pleasures  held  out  to  me  by  the 
world,  I  felt  their  insuflSciency ;  I  was  forced  to  see 
the  contrast  between  what  I  really  was,  and  what  I 
ought  to  be,  and  that  reflection  poisoned  every  mo- 
ment of  my  life.  Here,  miserable  though  I  be,  no 
trouble  pursues  me,  and  the  confidence  I  have  in 
God's   infinite   mercy,   inclines  me  rather   to  desire 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPURAIM.  207 

than  to  dread  the  end  of  my  life.  Everything  I  so 
long  idolized — riches,  ambition,  science ;  all  these 
things  now  appear  to  me  but  as  folly  and  children's 
play-things.  IIow  good  God  has  been  towards  me ! 
I  have  now  but  one  desire,  but  it  is  a  very  lively  and 
sincere  one  ;  it  is,  to  find  myself,  after  some  years,  re- 
united in  heaven  to  all  I  held  most  dear  upon  earth." 
Finally,  we  shall  say  to  those  who  compassionate  so 
much  the  lot  of  the  Trappists :  that  these  good 
religious  do  not  quit  their  solitude,  where  they  are 
employed  in  prayer,  in  manual  exercises  and  in  works 
of  charity,  in  order  to  come  and  disturb  your  false 
happiness,  of  which  they  are  nowise  envious,  but 
which,  on  the  contrary,  they  consider  visionary  and 
miserable.  Permit,  then,  some  privileged  beings  to 
free  themselves  from  the  trammels  of  the  body,  and 
from  the  miseries  of  human  nature,  in  order  to  live 
upon  earth  the  life  of  angels.  Fear  not  that  the 
number  of  these  creatures  of  election  shall  ever  be- 
come very  considerable :  the  Trappists  certainly  will 
never  depopulate  the  world  I 

THIRD     ACCUSATION. 

La  Trappe,  it  is  continually  repeated,  is  the  lot  of  bruised  and  crushed 

hearts  only. 

What  man,  in  other  respects  respectable,  and  to 
whose  opinion  we  are  willing  to  render  public  homage  ; 
what  man,  I  say,  of  that  description  has  ever  dared 
to  assert,  that  "  an  unhappy  physical  and  moral  con- 
dition alone  can  induce  any  one  to  bury  himself  alive 
in  penitential  solitude?"  The  Lord,  it  is  true,  whose 
ways  are  incomprehensible,  often  makes  use  of  some 


208  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

worldly  mishap  for  weaning  from  the  world  and  for 
inspiring  to  embrace  the  monastic  state,  those  whom 
he  has  already  chosen  as  his  elect.  Thus,  Saint  Paul, 
the  first  hermit,  was  thrust  into  the  desert  through 
the  perfidy  of  a  relation ;  a  sensation  of  cowardice 
conducted  Saint  Arsenius  to  the  same  place ;  the 
blessed  Peter  Gonzales,  being  ashamed  of  having  been 
publicly  thrown  from  his  horse  into  a  ditch,  conse- 
crated himself  to  God  in  the  order  of  Saint  Domi- 
nick.  Thomas  Pound,  having  accidentally  fallen  down, 
whilst  dancing  at  a  court-ball,  and  the  queen  having 
addressed  to  him  the  insulting  words,  "  Get  up,  you 
ox,"  forsook  the  world,  and  went  to  die  holily  in  a 
monastery.  Saint  Liguori,  in  consequence  of  a  repri- 
mand received,  whilst  an  advocate  at  the  Neapolitan 
bar,  consecrates  himself  forever  to  the  service  of  the 
altar.  These  and  thousands  of  other  such  instances, 
if  they  could  be  produced,  so  far  from  invalidating 
the  common  rule,  strengthen  it,  on  the  contrary ; 
whereas,  by  events  fortuitous  in  appearance.  Provi- 
dence furnished  a  favorable  opportunity  of  developing 
and  determining  vocations,  which  had  long  before 
existed.  But  let  there  be  no  mistake  :  one  must  be 
truly  called  by  God,  to  live  as  a  Trappist ;  he  must 
have  a  solid  vocation.  A  sudden  caprice  may  lead 
him  to  become  a  monk,  but  cannot  make  him  per- 
severe for  a  long  time,  as  a  second  caprice  will  very 
probably  counteract  the  first.  This  accounts  for  the 
very  large  number  of  postulants  at  our  monasteries, 
and  also,  for  the  very  small  number  of  those  who 
remain  to  make  a  solemn  profession. 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA   EPHRAIM.  209 

FOURTH    ACCUSATION. 

Monasteries  are  places  of  refuge,  or,  as  a  certain  loritcr  of  no  little  cele- 
brity has  styled  them,  they  are  a  sort  of  religious  penitentiaries,  to  which 
great  sinners  and  great  criminals  fy  for  asylum  and  protection. 

By  no  means.  La  Trappe  does  not  hide  within  its 
peaceful  and  silent  cloisters  men  that,  covered  all 
over  with  heinous  crimes,  avoid  the  notice  of  society. 
By  no  means  will  it  be  found  true,  that  great  crimi- 
nals alone  are  the  inhabitants  of  this  retreat ;  crimi- 
nals that  constantly  invoke  the  mercy  of  heaven,  and 
despair  to  obtain  it.  No  !  too  much  calm  and  serenity 
beam  in  the  countenances  of  the  children  of  Saint 
Bernard,  to  make  it  credible  that  those  who  sing  the 
psalms  of  David  with  so  much  feelmg,  and  whose  eyes 
sparkle  with  so  holy  a  joy,  have  their  hearts  inces- 
santly tortured,  their  consciences  always  stung  by  old 
shameful  remembrances.  The  desire  of  a  more  severe 
penance,  it  is  true,  conducts  to  this  retreat  some 
persons  wishing  to  atone  for  a  life  of  dissipation  and 
moral  weakness :  it  is  also  true,  that,  under  the  habit 
of  a  Trappist,  there  beat  timid  and  repentant  hearts, 
that  holily  exaggerate  the  heinousness  of  their  own 
faults,  and  piously  believe  that  they  can  never  satisfy 
the  divine  justice.  But  the  greater  number  is  made 
up  of  those  innocent  souls  which  the  breath  of  vice 
had  never  sullied ;  of  those  pure  doves  that  live  already 
in  heaven ;  of  young  people  umvilling  to  expose  them- 
selves to  the  stormy  sea  of  the  world,  so  fertile  in 
wrecks ;  of  old  men  who  wish  to  halt  before  the  end 
of  the  short  journey  of  life,  and  to  amass  some  good 
works  to  offer  to  Him,  who,  at  the  last  day,  shall  ask 
an  account  of  our  actions,  of  our  thoughts,  and  of  our 
18* 


210  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

most  trivial  words.  Some  of  these  were  soldiers,  accus- 
tomed to  obedience  and  to  sacrifice  of  life,  who  have  now 
enlisted  in  the  army  of  the  Lord,  in  His  elect  Guard, 
sure  of  attaining  the  first  rank,  if  they  wish  ;  for  under 
the  appearance  of  men  miserable  and  voluntarily  poor, 
there  may  be  easily  discovered  proud  characters,  inde- 
pendent souls,  and  hearts  of  tried  courage :  many  of 
them  have  been  proved  through  a  series  of  campaigns, 
and  by  certain  brave  achievements  that  obtained  for 
them  national  recompenses.  Some,  again,  were  sailors, 
whom  continual  exposure  to  death  fashioned  to  have  a 
contempt  for  life,  and  who  wish  to  reach  heaven,  the 
harbor  of  everlasting  safety.  There  may  be  found 
others,  who,  after  filling  various  public  ofiices,  and 
feeling  the  nothingness  of  human  things,  desire  no 
longer  to  command,  but  to  obey.  Finally,  there  may 
be  found  pious  priests,  who  Avere  formerly  the  edifi- 
cation of  a  seminary,  but  who,  fearing  the  dangers  of 
the  sacred  ministry,  in  the  midst  of  a  corrupt  world, 
aspire  to  a  more  holy  life,  and  wish  to  consecrate 
themselves  to  God  without  reserve;  or,  perhaps, 
having  exercised  for  many  years  the  noble  functions 
of  the  priesthood,  they  now  have  ascended  the  holy 
Mountain,  to  lift  up  their  hands  with  Moses,  after 
having  borne  arms  in  the  plain  with  Joshua !  Such 
pious  and  generous  ministers  are  of  opinion,  that  it  is 
perhaps  more  glorious  to  imitate  Jesus  Christ  in  his 
life  of  suffering,  obscurity  and  prayer,  than  to  follow 
him  in  his  apostolic  career,  in  which  he  finds  the  most 
imitators. 


LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM,  211 

FIFTH   ACCUSATION. 
The  Trappists  are  people  vselesa  to  society. 

The  most  moderate  enemies  of  the  religious  com- 
munities treat  them  as  useless  members  of  society. 
They,  doubtlessly,  did  not  mean  to  say  that  they  lead 
an  idle  life,  because  all  religious,  and  more  especially 
the  Trappists,  are  continually  occupied  during  the  day, 
and  during  a  great  part  of  the  night ;  indeed,  they 
take  no  other  relaxation  than  what  a  transition  from 
one  employment  to  another  affords.  But,  they  say, 
these  are  only  exercises  of  contemplation,  in  which 
society  is  no  way  interested.  You  deceive  yourselves, 
whoever  you  be  that  permit  yourselves  to  hold  such 
an  opinion  :  for,  in  the  first  place,  if  the  religious  of 
La  Trappe  sing  the  praises  of  the  Lord,  if  they  give 
themselves  up  to  the  holy  ardor  of  prayer,  they  dedi- 
cate to  it  that  time  which  the  rest  of  mankind  give  to 
repose,  and  which  a  great  number  waste  in  trifling, 
and,  perhaps,  in  sinful  practices. 

Secondly,  they  deceive  themselves,  who  imagine  that 
the  good  works  and  the  pious  austerities  of  holy  men 
are  useless  to  the  rest  of  society.  We  direct  our 
appeal  to  Christians  only,  who  are  of  the  faith :  well, 
then,  we  ask  them,  is  it  not  from  on  high  that  pros- 
perity comes  to  man  ?  That  favorable  seasons,  that 
fecundating  dews  come?  Are  these  advantages 
bestowed  on  man  through  the  potency  of  bis  own 
efforts ;  or  are  they  not  rather  bestowed  through  the 
humble  supplications  and  the  penitent  life  of  a  few 
just  souls  ?  A  tradition,  founded  upon  a  revelation 
worthy  of  being  believed,  certifies  that  Saint  Theresa, 
without  issuing  from  the  precincts  of  her  cloister,  con- 


212  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

verted  by  her  prayers  as  many  souls  as  Saint  Francis 
Xavier,  after  all  his  peregrinations  through  Judea  and 
Tapon.  We  are  passing  through  days  of  evil ;  we  are 
this  long  time  on  the  eve  of  great  catastrophies ;  the 
crimes  of  all  kinds  of  which  unhappy  France  has  been, 
and  still  continues  to  be,  the  theatre,  provoke  the 
anger  of  the  Almighty ;  something,  nevertheless, 
seems  to  stay  the  arm  of  an  avenging  God,  already 
raised  to  punish  us :  this  something  is,  there  can  be 
no  doubt,  the  religious  communities ;  those  noble  and 
pious  souls  have  hitherto  appeased  the  gathering  storm, 
and  offered  themselves  as  holocausts  on  the  altar  of 
the  Lord,  and  as  victims  to  assuage  his  just  anger. 
In  former  days,  Sodom  would  have  obtained  pardon, 
had  she  but  a  small  number  of  just  souls  within  her 
gates.  Who  can  be  sure  that  France  does  not  owe 
her  preservation  to  the  pious  cenobites  scattered  here 
and  there  through  the  land?  Let  us  call  to  mind  the 
immense  number  of  prophecies,  true  or  false,  which 
inundated  France  a  few  years  ago,  and  which  always 
revealed  a  species  of  general  terror  as  seizing  upon  the 
imagination,  on  the  very  subject  we  have  just  named  ; 
that  is,  the  impending  punishment  for  the  crimes  of 
the  people.  Even  those  who  professed  to  give  no 
credence  to  what  they  styled  "foolish  rhapsodies," 
and  "old  women's  vagaries,"  only  adapted  to  frighten 
the  weak-minded  and  superstitious,  could  not  help 
feeling  their  minds  disturbed,  and  some  degree  of 
alarm  in  their  souls.  The  greater  number  of  these 
prophecies  was  doubtlessly  divested  of  the  character- 
istics of  true  prophecy,  but  there  were  some  few  of 


LIFE    OF   FATnER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  213 

them  ^vhich  it  would  be  at  least  imprudent  to  reject 
Tvith  disdain. 

In  former  days,  the  Lord  sent  a  prophet  to  the 
city  of  Nineveh,  announcing  its  approaching  destruc- 
tion.    Nineveh   was   not    destroyed   for   that   time, 
because  the  Lord  had  laid  down  a  condition  "  if  the 
inhabitants  would  not  repent."     In  like  manner,  the 
scourges  with  which  France  was  threatened,  have  been 
perhaps  mitigated  by  the  fasting,  the  prayers,   and 
the  penances  exercised  for  this  intention  by  pious  per- 
sons in  every  condition  of  life;  and  more  especially, 
by  those  living  in  monasteries.     Selfishness  certainly 
is  not  the   ruling  vice  of  La  Trappe ;  the  religious 
endeavor  there,  it  is  true,  to  expiate  their  own  faults, 
and   to   insure   themselves  the  mercy   of  God;   but 
they  interest  themselves  also  in  the  salvation  of  their 
neighbors    and  of  their  friends  :    they  pray  for  the 
whole  world,  but  in  a  special  manner   for  their  own 
country.    They  often  place  themselves  between  the  ves- 
tibule and  the  altar,  and  supplicate  the  God  of  mercy 
to  have  compassion  on  his  people,  and  not  to  cast  upon 
the  culpable  the  bolts  of  his  anger :   Parce^  Domine, 
parce  ijoijulotuo,  ne  in  aeternum  irascai'is   7iohis ; 
"  Spare,   0  Lord,  spare  thy  people ;  he  not  forever 
angry  with  us,"  is  their  constant  prayer.     Their  whole 
life  is  a  continued  expiation,  but  they  redouble  their 
zeal  in  the  seasons  consecrated  to  penance.     Would 
that  those  who  so    benevolently  declare  themselves 
their    opponents,   were   witnesses   of  their   afiecting 
ceremonies   during  the  holy  season  of  Lent !     Their 
disdain  and  hatred  would  be  changed  into  sentiments 
of  respect  and  admiration,  and,  perhaps,  of  gratitude 


214  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

also!  On  the  first  day  of  Lent,  Ash- Wednesday, 
when  the  opening  of  the  penitential  season  is  pro- 
claimed to  the  rest  of  the  world  by  the  imposition  of 
ashes,  they  also  advance  to  this  ceremony,  which  is  at 
the  same  time  the  commencement  for  them  of  more 
austere  observances.  The  religious  advance  slowly, 
two  by  two,  barefooted,  and  with  doAvncast  eyes ;  the 
voice  of  song  is  suppressed,  their  arms  hang  down  by 
their  sides,  and  the  wide  sleeves  of  their  cowls  dangle 
about  their  bodies.  When  arrived  at  the  altar,  suc- 
cessively and  with  a  profound  inclination,  they  pros- 
trate themselves  one  after  another  at  the  feet  of  their 
Reverend  Father  Abbot,  in  whom  they  venerate  the 
representative  of  the  Divinity.  The  abbot  then  im- 
prints on  their  large  tonsures  in  characters  of  ashes 
the  sentence  of  their  approaching  dissolution ;  it  is  a 
sentence  of  death  pronounced  on  the  dead,  since  they 
had  already  renounced  all  the  advantages  of  life. 
They  are  not,  therefore,  much  troubled  with  the 
terrors  which  the  thoughts  of  death  naturally  suggest, 
but  they  groan  in  spirit  for  the  many  sinners  in  the 
world,  who  live  as  if  they  were  never  to  die,  and  as 
if  this  earth  was  their  final  resting-place. 

This  is  only  the  prelude  of  their  numerous  acts  of 
penance  during  this  holy  season.  Every  Friday,  the 
day  especially  set  apart  for  "still  more  painful  prac- 
tices, they  go  in  solemn  procession  through  the  clois- 
ters, whilst  singing  the  seven  penitential  psalms.  On 
these  days  they  fast  on  bread  and  water,  taking,  as 
has  been  already  mentioned,  only  one  meal  about 
sunset  on  the  other  days,  in  conformity  with  the 
custom  of  the    Christians   of  the  primitive  church. 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    ErilRAIM.  215 

Their  intentions,  even  in  fasting  and  praying,  are 
directed  according  to  the  will  of  the  Superior.  At 
one  time,  their  fasts  and  mortifications  are  offered  for 
the  wants  of  the  Church;  at  another  time,  for  the 
maintenance  of  peace,  and  for  the  preservation  and 
spread  of  the  Gospel ;  sometimes,  for  the  peculiar 
wants  of  particular  families;  and  not  unfrequentlj, 
for  obtaining  the  blessing  of  Heaven  upon  whole 
states  and  people :  their  fellow-creatures,  in  fine,  are 
always  remembered  and  made  partakers  of  their  good 
works.  On  Holy  Thursday,  in  imitation  of  the 
humility  of  our  Divine  Redeemer,  they  assemble 
around  them  in  their  monasteries  crowds  of  the  poor ; 
they  wash  their  feet,  and  distribute  to  each  one  a 
piece  of  money ;  they  then  serve  them  at  table,  and 
dismiss  them,  after  having  presented  to  each  a  loaf 
of  bread.  The  Superior,  also,  on  this  day,  Avashes 
the  feet  of  his  brothers  in  religion,  and  every  Satur- 
day in  the  year,  the  religious  practise  mutually  to- 
wards one  another  this  act  of  brotherly  love. 

On  Good  Friday,  they  seem  as  if  wishing  to  obtain 
from  Heaven  by  a  holy  violence  the  pardon  of  sinners. 
After  having  during  several  hours  sung  the  ofiice  of 
the  night,  all  disappear  about  four  O'clock  in  the 
morning.  We  are  not  permitted  to  follow  them  into 
the  secret  recesses  to  which  they  betake  themselves : 
God  alone  is  witness  of  the  holy  rigors  they  exercise 
upon  their  bodies.  They  soon  reappear,  with  gravity 
in  their  features,  and  all  barefoot,  in  which  state  they 
continue  all  the  day.  To  be  able  to  fully  appreciate 
such  penitents,  one  should  see  them  at  such  seasons, 
for  it  is  impossible  to  describe  them.     They  should 


216  LIFE    OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

be  seen  during  the  long  and  fervent  recitation  of  the 
whole  Psalter,  Avhich  they  chaunt  without  taking  time 
to  recruit  their  exhausted  strength,  and  also  during 
the  striking  ceremony  of  the  adoration  of  the  Holy 
Cross. 

Independently  of  these  particular  seasons,  the  Rev- 
erend Abbot,  from  time  to  time,  assigns  to  such  and 
such  religious  a  special  object,  to  which  all  their  pious 
exercises  are  to  be  directed.  Now  it  is  the  conver- 
sion of  a  certain  number  of  sinners,  that  they  are  to 
obtain  from  God ;  at  another  time,  the  prosperous 
issue  of  some  undertaking  conducive  to  the  glory  of 
God,  and  the  happiness  of  the  people.  There  is,  at 
this  moment,  affixed  to  the  door  of  the  chapter-room 
a  catalogue,  in  which  all  the  religious  of  the  monas- 
tery are  distributed  by  series,  and  to  each  series  i-s 
committed  a  particular  intention,  with  which  they  are 
to  chiefly  occupy  themselves  in  their  prayers.  Thus, 
the  first  series  are  charged  with  soliciting  the  blessing 
of  heaven  upon  the  bishops,  the  parish-priests,  and 
upon  the  different  religious  communities ;  the  second, 
with  imploring  the  grace  of  God  upon  all  persons  con- 
stituted in  authority,  whether  civil  or  military ;  and 
in  this  way,  the  others  have  different  objects  assigned 
to  their  special  prayers :  indeed,  as  has  been  already 
mentioned,  their  neighbors  are  always  partakers  of 
the  works  of  piety  practised  by  the  Trappists. 

There  are  certain  epochs  of  the  year  more  espe- 
cially set  aside  by  the  world  for  dissipation  of  all  kinds, 
for  parties  of  pleasure,  and  for  profligacy.  Oh  !  how 
sublime  is  the  devotion  of  the  Trappist  at  that  time, 
humbling  himself  and  praying  for  the  conversion  of 


LIFE   OF  FATHER   MARIA    El'IIRAIM.  217 

sinners ;  and  how  still  more  sublime  is  that  devotion, 
when,  in  the  midnight  darkness, — the  very  time 
chosen  by  profligates  and  libertines  for  the  celebra- 
tion of  their  hideous  orgies  and  detestable  disorders, — 
the  solitai-y  Trappist,  with  his  brethren,  solitaries  like 
himself,  whilst  all  nature,  except  the  vicious  and 
evilly  inclined,  is  in  a  state  of  repose,  lifts  up  towards 
heaven  his  pure  and  innocent  hands,  imploring  grace 
and  pardon  ! 

Besides  the  stated  hours  of  prayer  and  spiritual 
exercises,  the  Trappist  has  also  portions  of  his  time 
not  thus  employed,  and  which  he  is  far  from  passing 
in  idleness.  In  proof  of  which,  it  may  be  suflicient 
to  say,  that  one  of  the  principal  obligations  of  a  dis- 
ciple of  St.  Benedict  is  to  live  by  the  labor  of  his 
hands ;  and  he  fulfils  that  duty,  as  he  does  all  others, 
with  ardor  and  exactness. 

There  are  various  trades  and  manufactures  carried 
on  in  the  monastery  at  Aiguebelle, — the  one  with 
which  we  are  best  acquainted ;  but  the  same  may  be 
found  in  the  other  monasteries  of  the  order,  since  they 
are  all  conducted  on  the  same  principle.  In  the 
aforesaid  monastery,  there  are  two  mills  adapted  for 
the  preparation  of  the  diflerent  kinds  of  grain.  There 
is  also  a  factory  for  the  manufacture  of  various  quali- 
ties of  cloth,  cotton  and  woollen,  from  the  raw  ma- 
terial. From  the  factory,  the  cloth  is  transferred  to 
the  tailor  establishment,  in  which  a  sufficient  number 
of  workmen,  all  belonging  to  the  religious  community, 
are  continually  employed  in  making  the  clothes  of 
the  other  members.  In  this  establishment  are  also 
made  and  repaired  the  ornaments  and  robes  of  the 
19 


218  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

church,  and  from  which  many  of  the  secular  clergy- 
are  also  supplied.  There  are,  in  addition,  workshops 
for  shoemakers,  book-binders,  printers,  engravers, 
&c. ;  not  to  mention  a  very  large  one  for  baking 
bread  for  the  community.  There  are,  besides,  different 
works  in  wood  carried  on ;  the  sawyers,  carpenters, 
cabinet-makers,  wagon-makers,  plough-makers,  &c., 
being  all,  like  the  others,  brothers  in  the  community. 
The  turners  also  form  a  not  unimportant  item  in  the 
list  of  mechanics;  indeed,  their  utility  in  the  monas- 
tery will  be  duly  appreciated,  when  we  consider  that 
the  greater  part  of  the  domestic  vessels  is  made  of 
turned  wood,  and  turned ;  as  also  are  the  candlesticks 
and  many  of  the  ornaments  of  the  altar.  There  are 
also  many  workmen  in  iron,  such  as  horse-shoers,  black- 
smiths, locksmiths,  cutlers,  &c.  Some  of  the  brothers 
are  masons ;  others,  stonecutters ;  some,  again,  are  tin- 
ners, and  some  coopers.  In  fine,  almost  every  useful 
trade  has  its  peculiar  workshop  and  followers  within 
the  cloisters  of  La  Trappe.  The  leather  for  the  use 
of  the  community,  is  there  tanned  and  prepared  from 
the  raw  hide ;  the  wax  needed  for  the  celebration  of 
the  divine  mysteries  is  obtained  from  the  numerous 
bee-hives,  which  one  or  more  of  the  brothers  attend 
to,  with  as  much  care  as  skill.  Silkworms  are  also 
raised  in  some  of  the  monasteries,  and  the  silk  pro- 
duced forms  no  small  addition  to  their  revenues. 
Many  of  the  religious  are  well  skilled  in  veterinary 
surgery.  There  is  always  in  every  monastery  a 
pharmacy,  well  supplied  with  the  best  and  most 
necessary  drugs,  together  with  a  botanical  garden, 
cultivated  by  a  skilful  botanist,  whose  peculiar  duty 


LIFE   OF   fAtHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  219 

it  is  to  raise  medicinal  plants  for  the  use  of  the 
pharmacy.  Many  celebrated  physicians,  it  is  well 
known,  have  taken  refuge  from  the  wiles  of  a  deceit- 
ful world  in  the  solitude  of  La  Trappe ;  and  at  this 
very  time,  there  is  now  living,  as  an  humble  monk  in 
the  monastery  of  Aiguebelle,  one  of  the  most  learned 
physicians  of  France.  He  is  well  known  to  the  sur- 
rounding country,  and  is  expressly  commanded  by  the 
Rev.  Abbot  to  visit  the  poor,  who  are  sick  and  in- 
firm, and  who  are  unable  to  come  to  him.  He  sup- 
plies them  with  medicine,  and  treats  their  maladies 
with  still  greater  care,  because  his  payment  is  not 
expected  in  this  world. 

All  those  not  employed  at  the  different  trades,  and 
at  the  different  employments  of  the  monastery,  are 
engaged  in  agriculture :  the  details  of  their  various 
labors  would  lead  us  from  our  subject.  Be  it  sufficient 
to  say,  that  the  estate  belonging  to  the  monastery  of 
Aiguebelle  consists  of  four  hundred  acres  of  land, 
good  and  bad,  portioned  off  into  divers  farms,  and 
that  the  religious  cultivate  it  without  any  secular 
assistance,  except  that  of  a  few  servants.  The  sale 
of  the  superfluous  produce  is  committed  to  the  care 
of  one  of  the  monks,  styled  "the  Father  Economist," 
whose  duty  it  is  to  superintend  the  temporal  affairs 
of  the  community.  To  his  praise  be  it  said,  that  the 
lands  are  cultivated  with  as  much  ability  as  any  other 
lands  in  the  country. 

This  slight  sketch  of  the  internal  policy  of  monas- 
teries will  suffice,  it  is  hoped,  to  do  away  with,  in  the 
minds  of  the  less  obstinate,  the  false  notion,  "  that 
monks  are  useless  beings."     Monks  useless  beings  ! 


220  LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

We  may  as  well  assert,  that  the  working  classes  of 
our  mechanics,  and  the  laboring  cultivators  of  our 
soil,  are  of  no  advantage  to  the  rest  of  men ;  that 
society  can  have  no  interest  in  the  astonishing  results 
of  their  mechanical  proceedings,  nor  in  the  indispen- 
sable productions  of  the  land  fertilized  by  their  labor. 
Monks  useless  beings  !  Ask  the  truth  of  such  an 
assertion  from  the  crowd  of  indigent  and  unhappy 
wretches,  who  daily  and  hourly  flock  to  the  gates  of 
their  monasteries :  they  can  tell  you,  whether  it  is 
useless  for  them  to  have  their  hunger  appeased,  and 
their  bodies  protected  from  the  inclemency  of  the 
seasons.  Ask  it  from  the  Parish-priests  and  Mayors 
living  in  the  neighborhood  of  their  monasteries  ;  they 
will  tell  you  that  the  monks  are  the  main  support  of 
their  indigent  families,  and  that  a  simple  attestation 
from  under  their  hands  suffices  to  entitle  the  unfor- 
tunate to  the  eleemosynary  grants  of  the  monastery. 
Many  of  the  religious  are  exclusively  employed  in  the 
service  of  the  poor ;  a  separate  kitchen,  sleeping 
rooms,  and  infirmary,  are  kept  for  their  special  use. 
All,  without  exception,  are  charitably  received ;  no 
questions  are  asked  concerning  their  country  or 
religion ;  tliey  suffer,  they  are  hungry  ;  such  titles  are 
sufiicient  to  cause  them  to  meet  with  the  most  afi"ec- 
tionate  reception.  Their  clothes,  their  shoes  are 
mended ;  they  are  taken  care  of  in  sickness,  nor  are 
they  dismissed,  until  perpectly  recovered,  and  able  to 
exert  themselves  for  their  own  maintenance.  Monks 
useless  beings !  It  is  not  thus  that  they  are  judged 
of  by  a  multitude  of  persons  of  all  ranks  and  condi- 
tions, who,   in   the  days  of  affliction,   address  them- 


LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM,  221 

selves  to  the  worthy  Abbot  of  Aiguebclle,  to  implore 
his  prayers  and  those  of  his  community,  certain  of 
consolation  through  their  intercession.  One  should 
see,  as  vre  ourselves  have  seen,  the  enormous  number 
of  letters  addressed  to  the  superiors  of  La  Trappe  to 
beg  the  intercession  of  the  holy  religious  for  the 
aversion  of  threatened  evils ;  one  should  see  also  the 
immense  multitude  of  those  who  urgently  beg  to  ob- 
tain letters  of  affiliation,  in  wder  to  participate  in  the 
good  works  of  La  Trappe  ;  many  thousands  of  which 
letters  are  granted  every  year. 

SIXTH  ACCUSATIOISr. 

Some,  icithout  going  so  far  as  to  accuse  monks  of  being  useless  beings,  con- 
sider them,  notwithstanding,  as  wretches  voluntarili/  condemning  them- 
selves to  undergo  the  tortures  of  a  murderous  rule. 

We  cannot  say  whether  such  accusers  as  these  have 
or  have  not  a  knowledge  of  the  rule  of  Saint  Benedict ; 
but  we  can  inform  them  that  this  admirable  rule  has 
always  passed  as  a  chef-d'oeuvre  of  wisdom,  and  that 
many  of  the  wisest  legislators  have  largely  borrowed 
from  it,  and  sovereign  pontiffs  have  approved  of  it. 
Gregory  the  Great,  in  particular,  commends  it  for  its 
excellence  in  a  general  Council,  and  the  definitions  of 
that  same  Council  loudly  proclaim,  "  that  it  is  most  re- 
markable for  its  moderation."  Ever  since  the  sixth 
century,  this  religious  code  has  constantly  served  as 
basis  to  all  the  founders  of  order,  upon  which  to 
establish  their  constitutions,  and  duiung  the  period  it 
has  made  a  multitude  of  saints.  To  say,  at  this  late 
day,  that  such  a  rule  is  murderous,  would  be  to  reverse 
the  order  of  ideas  hitherto  received,  and  to  assert  that 
19* 


222  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

man  has  become  degenerate,  which  would  be  an  insult 
to  our  glorious  epoch,  that  has  quite  different  pre- 
tensions from  those  of  believing  itself  an  age  of  decline 
and  degeneracy.  This  rule,  we  confess,  taken  to  the 
letter,  offers  some  difficulties  for  its  exact  observance ; 
but  it  is  not  to  procure  for  himself  the  delicacies  of  a 
luxurious  life,  that  the  Christian  enrolls  himself  under 
its  standard.  Moderate,  for  a  while,  the  excess  of  your 
commiseration,  you  who  are  so  concerned  for  the 
health  of  the  poor  monks  of  La  Trappe,  whilst  we  call 
your  attention  to  a  few  considerations,  which,  we 
fervently  hope,  may  have  due  weight  on  your  minds. 
A  regular  life,  a  life  free  from  passion  and  solici- 
tude, a  life  that  sweetly  passes  in  the  bosom  of  peace ; 
is  not  such  a  life,  we  ask,  peculiarly  adapted  to  the 
preservation  of  health  ?  The  transition  from  one  occu- 
pation to  another ;  the  transition  that  calls  into  exer- 
cise the  intellectual  powers  of  the  soul,  and  the 
physical  strength  of  the  body,  tends  also,  it  must  be 
confessed,  to  the  same  result.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  diet  made  us  of  at  La  Trappe,  the  food  prepared 
in  its  natural  state,  consisting  for  the  most  part  of 
boiled  herbs  and  pease-soup,  and  served  up  without 
any  mixture  of  spices,  more  or  less  hurtful  to  the  con- 
stitution ;  is  not  all  this,  without  mentioning  the  obli« 
gatory  absence  of  all  excess,  very  conducive  to  a 
healthy  state  of  animal  existence?  Many  tempera- 
ments, more  especially  the  nervous,  experience  re- 
markable benefits  from  such  a  course  of  living.  In 
fine,  is  it  not  a  principle  of  hygiene  acknowledged  by  all 
medical  practitioners,  that  "  appetite  is  the  best  di- 
gestive?"    And  is  the  stomach  ever  better  disposed 


LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  223 

to  perform  its  functions  than  when  it  is  entirely  dis- 
embarrassed from  the  meats  already  taken  ?  This  is 
so  true,  that  the  Trappists,  after  taking  more  at  one 
meal  than  nature  would  permit  them  to  take,  were 
they  accustomed  to  two  or  three  repasts  in  the  day, 
can  give  themselves  up  to  the  most  serious  occupations 
without  the  least  inconvenience. 

It  is  with  the  Trappists  as  with  the  rest  of  mankind. 
Some  are  of  feeble  constitutions,  some  enjoy  moderate 
health,  whilst  others  again  are  more  robust.  If  some 
are  not  so  strong  as  they  were  before  embracing  a  life 
of  penance,  others  may  be  found  in  the  enjoyment  of 
better  health  than  they  ever  experienced  in  a  life  of 
delicacy.  There  may  be  found  at  La  Trappe  coun- 
tenances the  very  pictures  of  health  and  happiness. 
All  ages  are  there  represented,  from  the  youth  of 
eighteen  up  to  decrepitude.  The  mortality  is  not 
greater  among  them  than  elsewhere ;  it  is  in  propor- 
tion to  the  population,  and  if  death  sometimes  chooses 
his  victims  among  the  young  or  lately  professed,  he 
has  also  to  whet  his  scythe  against  the  lives  of  the 
old  in  virtue  as  well  as  in  years.  The  last  abbot 
that  died  at  Aiguebelle,  the  venerable  Father  Stephen, 
had  nearly  the  age  of  one  hundred  years,  fifty  of 
which  he  fought  the  battles  of  the  Lord  in  the  ranks 
of  the  Trappists.  We  went  expressly  to  visit  the 
cemetery  where  repose  the  remains  of  those  champions 
of  the  faith  ;  we  ran  over  with  our  eyes  the  inscriptions 
on  the' black  crosses  planted  at  the  head  of  each  grave, 
and  found  that  many  of  the  sleepers  below  had 
reached  to  an  advanced  age ;  many  of  them  to  the  age 
of  eighty.     The  following  is  an  exact  list  of  the  ages 


224  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.' 

of  the  last  seven  that  died  at  that  monastery :  23  years, 
33,  64,  78,  60,  31,  68.  It  is  not  true,  as  common 
report  would  have  it,  that  the  Trappist  each  day  digs 
a  spade-full  of  earth  from  his  future  grave.  We 
noticed,  however,  a  grave  half  finished  ;  it  was  for  the 
first  that  may  happen  to  die.  We  noticed  near  it 
a  poor  old  father,  who  appeared  weak,  and  under 
great  bodily  sulTerings ;  he  seemed  absorbed  in  pious 
meditation,  and  seemed  to  say  to  himself,  "  perhaps 
this  grave  is  for  me." — He  has  since  gone  to  receive 
the  reward  of  his  piety  and  virtue. 

Let  it  not  be  supposed  that  the  austere  manner  of 
life  practised  in  those  houses  dedicated  to  penance, 
shuts  out  all  care  and  attention  to  the  sick.  The 
holy  rule  of  which  we  have  spoken,  had  provided  for 
everything.  We  have  already  said  something  about 
the  pharmacy,  and  the  physician  whose  duty  it  is  to 
visit  the  infirmary  every  day,  to  see  each  patient,  and 
prescribe  for  him  according  to  his  wants.  It  may  be 
said  that  the  sick  are  objects  of  the  most  peculiar 
care  at  La  Trappe.  They  do  not  obtain,  it  is  true, 
all  the  delicacies  and  all  the  capricious  gratifications 
that  are  common  among  the  rich  families  of  the  world. 
The  Trappist,  though  sick,  is  yet  a  Trappist ;  that  is, 
he  is  bound  by  his  vow  of  poverty.  He  receives, 
however,  all  that  is  needful  to  his  sickness  and  in- 
firmity, whilst  the  services  of  which  he  is  the  object 
have  their  source  in  the  most  attentive  love  and 
charity. 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  225 

SEVENTH    ACCUSATION. 
The  Trap2»si8  seek  after  the  fortune  of  their  Poatulants. 

We  are  at  length  arrived  at  the  last  accusation  that  is 
made  against  monks  ;  and  more  especially,  against  the 
Trappists.  It  is  one  that  cannot  be  seriously  made, 
and  its  truth  believed  in  by  those  who  make  it.  In- 
deed, it  would  not  be  worth  while  to  attempt  a  re- 
futation, were  it  not  one  of  the  arguments  used  to  deter 
Maria  Ephraim  from  embracing  a  religious  life.  It 
could  proceed  only  from  blind  or  affected  ignorance. 
"  The  Superiors  of  La  Trappe  have  an  eye  to  the  for- 
tunes of  those  who  come  to  join  them  !"  As  little  as 
may  be  known  of  the  spirit  by  which  such  establish- 
ments are  ruled,  it  is  easy  to  see  the  amount  of  bad 
faith  and  malice  contained  in  such  an  accusation. 
In  fact,  it  is  impossible  to  carry  disinterestedness 
farther  than  is  done  at  Aiguebelle.  Nothing  is  de- 
manded from  those  who  present  themselves  for  recep- 
tion into  the  congregation,  except  virtue  and  devotion. 
If  the  novices  wish  to  bestow  anything,  it  is  only  re- 
ceived under  the  title  of  alms,  and  that  the  house  may 
be  better  enabled  to  assist  those  who  stand  in  need 
of  assistance.  We  may  also  add,  that  the  constitu- 
tions by  which  such  communities  are  governed,  oblige 
the  novices,  before  their  profession,  to  divest  them- 
tjelves  of  all  property,  on  account  of  the  vow  of 
poverty  they  are  on  the  point  of  making.  But  it 
would  be  needless  to  set  about  seriously  refuting  so 
absurd  an  accusation,  and  which,  we  repeat  it,  those 
who  make  it,  do  not,  themselves,  believe.  Let  us  then 
return  to  our  dear  brother  Maria  Ephraim. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

BROTHER  MARIA  EPHRAIM  ARRIVES  AT  AIGUEBELLE  :  HIS  JOY  AT 
FINDING  HIMSELF  AGAIN  IN  THE  MIDST  OF  HIS  BRETHREN.  CERE- 
MONIES AT  THE  BENEDICTION  OF  THE  HEW  ABBOT  OF  LA  TRAPPE, 
THE    REVEREND    FATHER   OHSISIUS. 

We  have  left  our  dear  brother  Maria  Ephraim  on 
his  journey  back  to  his  beloved  retreat,  and  return- 
ing thanks  to  the  Lord  for  giving  him  the  necessary 
strength  to  break  the  ties  that  bound  him  to  the 
world.  "Laqueus  contritus  est,"  sang  he  with  the 
Prophet,  "  et  nos  liberati  sumus."  Nevertheless,  his 
joy  was  not  wholly  complete  ;  his  heart  was  oppressed 
with  a  disagreeable  weight,  when  he  thought  of  the 
sad  state  in  which  he  had  left  his  family.  During  the 
journey,  he  could  not  drive  it  from  his  thoughts,  and 
more  especially,  the  last  scene  was  always  present  to 
his  mind  and  left  therein  a  deep  impression.  At 
every  stopping  place  he  endeavored  to  find  an  oppor- 
tunity of  addressing  a  few  lines  to  his  father.  Those 
letters  are  always  resplendent  with  love,  and  vividly 
express  the  terrible  combats  of  which  his  heart  was 
the  battle-field  upon  which  two  enraged  rivals,  the 
love  for  God,  and  the  love  for  his  parents,  God  and 
nature,  obstinately  contended  one  with  the  other. 
Victory  of  necessity  remained  with  the  true  owner  of 
that  heart ;  to  Ilim  whose  it  was,  both  by  the  right  of 
conquest  and  the  right  of  property ;  by  the  right  of 
property,  because  He  had  created  it ;  by  the  right  of 
(22G) 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM.  227 

conquest,  because    He  had   seized  upon  it  bj   His 
Grace. 

Behold  him  at  last  arrived  at  Aiguebelle,  on  the 
19th  of  April,  1838,  after  an  absence  of  about  seven 
weeks.  His  arrival  was  the  cause  of  general  rejoicing 
in  the  community,  so  much  was  he  beloved  by  every 
one.  The  good  brother  who  opened  the  gate  for  him, 
wept  tears  of  joy  on  seeing  him.  Scarcely  was  the 
ceremonial  of  reception  gone  through,  than  he  was  in 
the  arms  of  the  Reverend  Abbot,  blessing  him  and 
regarding  him  as  a  privileged  child,  whom  the  Blessed 
Mother  of  God  had  brought  back  from  the  banks  of 
the  waters  of  Babylon.  You  are  come  back  to  the 
ark,  my  dearest  brother,  he  exclaimed ;  let  us  all  re- 
turn thanks  to  the  divine  goodness  for  having  so 
visibly  protected  you ;  in  the  mean  time,  erect  in  your 
heart  an  altar  of  gratitude  to  the  Lord  and  to  his 
Holy  Mother.  The  novices  were  especially  grieved 
at  his  departure :  they  were  now  proportionably  re- 
joiced at  his  return.  Many  of  them  were  exactly  in 
the  same  position  as  brother  Ephraim,  with  regard  to 
the  relations  they  had  left  in  the  world :  they  had 
also  to  sustain  combats  against  flesh  and  blood  that 
loudly  cried  out  for  their  rights.  This  identity  of 
circumstances  established  among  them  a  sympathy 
of  sentiments  that  added  to  their  mutual  fraternity. 
The  Reverend  Abbot,  convinced  that  the  return  to 
the  fold  of  this  dear  lamb,  was  the  work  of  God, 
ordered  an  act  of  thanksgiving  to  be  publicly  made 
by  the  entire  brotherhood. 

Brother  Ephraim,  though  absent  from  the  monas- 
tery, had  not  ceased  to  be  under  obedience :  he  was 


228  LIFE    OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

accordingly  reinstated  in  all  the  rights  and  privileges 
that  seniority  entitled  him  to  have  over  the  novices 
who  were  his  juniors  in  a  religious  life ;  he  was,  also, 
continued  in  the  office  of  Crosier-bearer,  which  had 
been  conferred  on  him  prior  to  departure. 

Three  days  after  his  arrival,  the  benediction  of  a 
new  abbot,  the  Reverend  Father  Orsisius,  took  place 
at  Aiguebelle.  As  the  ceremonies  used  at  La  Trappe, 
on  such  an  occasion,  may  not  be  known  to  the  gene- 
rality of  our  readers,  we  deem  it  expedient  to  give  a 
brief  account  of  them.  The  Reverend  Father  Stephen, 
for  reasons  needless  to  bring  forward  in  this  place, 
had  resigned  the  office  of  abbot.  His  resignation  was 
accepted  in  the  month  of  June,  1837,  and  the  election 
of  a  successor  took  place  on  the  31st  of  October  of 
the  same  year.  This  election  was  presided  over  by 
the  Reverend  Father  Joseph  Marie,  Abbot  of  the 
*' Grande  Trappe,"  and  superior  of  the  congregation 
in  France  ;  Father  Orsisius,  of  the  monastery  of  Aigue- 
belle, was  unanimously  elected,  and  his  election  after- 
wards confirmed  by  the  court  of  Rome. 

Monseigneur  de  La  Tourette  was  at  that  time 
Bishop  of  Valence,  but  his  advanced  age  and  infirmi- 
ties not  permitting  him  to  travel,  application  was 
made  to  Monseigneur,  the  Archbishop  of  Avignon, 
and  Metropolitan  of  the  province,  for  the  benediction 
of  the  new  Abbot.  The  worthy  archbishop  yielded 
to  the  prayers  of  the  solitaries  of  Aiguebelle  with  such 
benevolence  as  can  never  be  effaced  from  their  memo- 
ries, and  for  which  they  shall  always  entertain  the 
most  lively  gratitude.  The  moment  of  the  Prelate's 
arrival  had  been  announced,  and  the  religious  had 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM.  229 

made  all  the  preparations  admissible  by  the  austerity 
of  their  institute,  to  give  it  all  due  solemnity.  They 
had,  a  few  days  before,  erected,  opposite  the  main 
gate  of  the  monastery,  a  triumphal  arch,  consisting 
of  green  boughs,  and  odoriferous  shrubs,  with  which 
the  environs  of  their  solitude  abundantly  supplied 
them  ;  and  had  tapestried  with  verdure  the  court-yard, 
and  the  extent  of  the  cloisters,  through  which  the 
archbishop  had  to  pass.  The  whole  was  agreeably 
interspersed  with  devices  and  mottoes,  happily  chosen, 
and  traced  in  letters  formed  from  the  petals  of  flowers, 
thus  giving  an  exquisite  variety  to  the  scene.  The 
church  also  was  decorated  as  on  days  of  the  most 
solemn  festivals.  Two  of  the  religious  are  sent  in 
advance  to  meet  him,  whilst  the  bells  of  the  monastery 
peal  forth  tokens  of  joy,  and  the  entire  community 
are  issuing  in  procession  from  the  church.  At  their 
head  walks  the  deacon,  bearing  a  cross  of  simple  con- 
structure.  The  cross  is  of  wood,  as  well  as  the  image 
of  our  Redeemer,  with  which  it  is  surmounted.  Next 
comes  the  superior,  dressed  in  his  cowl,  and  bearing 
between  his  two  hands  a  crucifix:  he  is  surrounded  by 
the  elders  and  officers  of  the  monastery.  In  sub- 
mission to  the  presence  of  a  bishop,  the  Father  Abbot 
is  without  his  crosier ;  that  badge  of  dignity  being 
left  in  the  choir,  in  front  of  the  abbatial  seat :  he 
wears,  however,  a  ring  and  an  humble  pectoral  cross, 
suspended  from  his  neck  by  a  violet-colored  string. 
Then  come  the  other  religious,  each  according  to  his 
rank:  walking  with  gravity  and  in  silence.  When 
the  Prelate  makes  his  appearance,  all  prostrate  them- 
selves ;  the  superior  alone  remains  standing,  and  after 
20 


230  LIFE    OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

tlie  Bishop's  remaining  a  few  moments  on  his  knees 
— a  suitable  bench  having  been  previously  prepared 
for  the  occasion— he  then  advances  towards  him,  pre- 
sents the  crucifix  he  holds  in  his  hands,  to  be  kissed, 
and  the  aspersory,  with  which  he  sprinkles  with  holy 
water  the  assembly  :  after  this  the  incense  and  censer 
thurible  are  presented,  and  the  Bishop  is  saluted  with 
frankincense,  according  to  the  ritual. 

There   happened  at  this  reception  a  circumstance 
that  does  not  frequently  occur  at  the  ordinary  re- 
ception of  bishops,  and  which  we  more  readily  relate, 
as  it  made  a  deep  impression  upon  all  who  were  pre- 
sent-on the  occasion.    The  venerable  and  good  Father 
Stephen  presented  with  an  expression  of  feeling  im- 
possible to  describe,  his  successor,  and  implored  for 
him  the  episcopal  benediction.     The  bishop,  affected 
by  all  he  saw,  could  not  subdue  the  emotion  that  op- 
pressed him,  and  was  forced  to  shed  tears ;  not  tears 
of  sorrow,  but  tears  of  joy  at  finding  on  earth  men  so 
conformable  to  the  humility  and  self-abnegation  of 
Jesus  Christ.     The  Reverend  Abbot  then  addressed 
a  few  words  to  the  Prelate ;  the  procession  resumes 
its  way  back  to  the  church,  singing  responses  adapted 
to  the  occasion.    When  each  one  had  taken  his  proper 
place  in  the  church,  the  superior  gave  the  tone  for 
the  Te  Deum,  which  was  solemnly  sung  by  all.    After 
a  suitable  prayer,  the  community,  always  in  the  same 
order,  escort  the  Prelate  to  the  Chapter-room,  and, 
in  conformity  with  the  ritual  of  the  Congregation,  the 
master    of  ceremonies    sings    with    due    inflection   a 
chapter  of  the  Epistles  of  Saint  Paul  to  Titus,  upon 
the  principal  duties  of  Bishops.     After  a  few  words 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRATM.  231 

of  edification  from  the  Bishop,  in  reply,  he  finally 
gives  his  blessing,  and  is  conducted  to  his  apartment. 

The  foregoing  ceremonials,  literally  provided  for 
by  the  rules  of  the  congregation,  as  indeed  are,  in 
detail,  all  the  other  religious  observances,  were  exactly 
followed  at  the  reception  of  Monseigneur,  the  Arch- 
bishop of  Avignon,  upon  the  present  occasion. 

The  next  day,  which  happened  to  be  the  festival 
of  the  Good  Shepherd,  the  ceremony  for  which  the 
Bishop's  presence  was  required,  was  solemnly  pro- 
ceeded with.  It  is  one  of  the  most  interesting,  and 
difiei^s  little  from  that  prescribed  for  the  consecration 
of  Bishops.  The  two  Abbots — the  one  who  had  just 
resigned,  and  the  one  who  was  now  going  to  assume 
the  title — had  each  his  crosier  and  mitre.  What  a 
strange  sight  to  see  two  poor  Trappists  with  mitres  ! 
It  seemed  to  those  good  Fathers  that  they  were 
bearing  a  crown  of  thorns.  The  Bishop  of  Valence 
had  sent  as  representative  his  grand  vicars ;  a  numei"- 
ous  population  had  also  assembled  from  the  surround- 
ing country ;  indeed,  all  the  respectable  families  of 
the  neighborhood  showed  by  the  interest  they  took  in 
the  proceedings,  how  dear  to  their  hearts  were  the 
Trappists.  After  the  ceremony  came  dinner.  All 
could  not  find  seats  in  the  refectory  of  the  monastery ; 
large  as  it  is.  Those  who  could  find  places  dined  in 
it,  whilst  the  greater  number  were  entertained  in  the 
apartments  for  the  receptiun  of  strangers.  However, 
the  common  rule  was  not  transgressed,  notwithstand- 
ing the  solemnity  of  the  occasion  :  simplicity  of  table 
furniture  and  frugality  in  the  viands  made  all  the 
ornaments  of  the  monastic  feast.    These  austere  pcni- 


232  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

tents,  like  the  God  tliey  serve,  are  immutable  in  the 
worship  they  render  to  Ilim ;  no  fcBtival  day  can  dis- 
pense them  from  the  sacrifice  of  privation  and  penance 
which  they  have  accustomed  themselves  to  offer  to 
Him.  After  dinner,  all  retired,  every  one  edified, 
and  some  repeating  a  few  lines  left  on  the  registry 
of  the  Father  who  has  the  care  of  those  who  come  to 
visit  the  monastery.  They  were  written,  it  is  said, 
by  one  of  the  most  distinguished  orators  of  the  capital, 
and  are  as  follows  :  "  Away  !  censors  of  our  frivolities ; 
the  sight  of  you  torments  the  world,  like  a  sublime 
and  heart-rending  irony :  away !  for  ye  have  really 
and  traly  understood  the  mysteries  of  human  life  !" 


CHAPTER  XVIII. . 

BROTHER  EPHRAIM  APPLIES  HIMSELF  WITH  ARDOR  TO  THE  EXERCISE 
OP  THE  NOVICIATE.  THE  CONSOLATIONS  HE  EXPERIENCES.  MOTIVES 
FOR  INTERIOR   CONSOLATION,    HOW   WELL-FOUNDED   AT   LA   TRAPPE. 

After  the  departure  of  the  crowd,  which  the  oc- 
casion, mentioned  in  the  last  chapter,  had  called 
together,  the  monastery  returned  to  its  former  calm, 
and  the  regular  exercises  that  had  been  more  or  less 
interrupted  in  the  midst  of  so  great  a  tumult,  resumed 
very  soon  their  holy  and  meritorious  monotony. 
Brother  Maria  Ephraim  was  intent  on  effacing  the 
spot  which  he  believed  to  be  imprinted  on  his  soul 
through  condescending  to  the  desires  of  his  relations. 
This  he  accomplished  with  all  the  fervor  of  a  novice. 
He  applied  himself  particularly  to  obtain  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  monastic  state :  he  asked  for  this 
purpose  permission  to  read  the  books  of  the  order, 
and  made  them  his  serious  study.  By  this  means  he 
learned,  who,  and  what  kind  of  men,  were  our 
founders.  The  lives  and  examples  of  our  fathers  had 
for  him  particular  attraction.  In  study  of  this  kind, 
which  the  penetration  of  his  mind  and  the  solidity 
of  his  judgment  enabled  him  to  search  into,  he  found 
an  invincible  attachment  for  the  state  of  life  he  had 
embraced,  and  he  learned  to  appreciate  more  and 
more  the  sublimity  of  his  vocation.  Grace,  meeting 
with  such  happy  disposition  in  this  generous  heart, 
did  not  fail  to  produce  an  abundant  harvest  of  various 
20-  (2-33) 


234  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

virtues.  Thus,  in  a  short  time,  he  was  classed  in  the 
rank  of  the  most  fervent  in  the  noviciate,  according 
to  the  private  thoughts  and  opinions  of  his  superiors 
and  fellow-monks. 

Whilst  answering  in  a  former  chapter  the  divers 
prejudices  shed  abroad,  in  the  world,   relative  to  La 
Trappe,  we  have  endeavored  to  establish  the  fact,  that 
unhappiness  is  a  strange  guest  in  the  bosom  of  a  true 
Trappist.     Our   arguments,    perhaps    badly   brought 
forward,  are  not  the  pure  effect  of  our  imagination ; 
they  are  found  vividly  expressed  and  developed  with ' 
conviction    in    the    voluminous    correspondence    of 
Brother  Ephraim,  which  are,  at  this  moment,  in  our 
hands.     We  have  already  made  some  extracts  from 
those    precious    letters,    but    everything    they    con- 
tain is  so  interesting,  that  we  do  not  fear  to  weary 
the    reader    by   recurring    to    them    again.     "  The 
Trappe,"  he  says,  "is  frightful,  when  we  viewed  from 
a  distance ;  it  is  frightful,  even,  when  we  take  a  nearer 
view  of  it ;   but  what  hidden   treasures  may  we  not 
discover  enveloped  in  so  vile  and  poor  an  exterior ! 
Tor  my  own  part,  I  find  here  all  my  delight,  and  have 
no  other  ambition  than  to  live  and  die  a  Trappist." 
Not  that  everything  is  sweet  and  spiritual   consola- 
tion at  La  Trappe ;  there  are  also  days  of  storms  and 
clouds,  that  succeed  days  of  greater  calm ;  and  although 
the  Trappists,  as  Brother  Ephraim  remarks  in  another 
place,  hold  themselves  constantly  under  the  protect- 
ing mantle  of  the  Blessed  Mary,  their  tender  mother, 
the  common  enemy  of  mankind  knows,  nevertheless, 
how  to  reach  them  with  his  envenomed  arrows ;  he  lays 
snares  for  them  even  in  the  midst  of  the  cloisters,  and 


LIFE   OF   FATnER    MARIA   EPIIRATM.  235 

they  sometimes  find  their  tribulation  very  bitter  and 
their  cross  almost  insupportable.  But  they  have  many 
resources  to  repel  and  vanquish  their  enemies,  and  their 
victories  are  more  prompt,  more  easy  and  more  com- 
plete than  the  victories  of  those  exposed  to  the  tempta- 
tions of  the  -world.  When  calm  is  established,  God,  who 
is  rich  in  mercy,  communicates  to  these  elect  souls 
holy  ardors ;  it  is  then  that,  in  their  ecstatic  delight, 
they  exclaim  with  the  royal  Prophet,  "Yes,  0  Lord,  one 
day  passed  in  communion  with  you,  is  worth  a  thousand 
passed  in  the  joys,  and  under  the  tents  of  sinners." 

The  ineffable  joys  that  are  the  portion  of  the  reli- 
gious of  La  Trappe,  are  not  derived  from  the  goods 
or  pleasures  of  this  world.  The  joys  of  the  world  are 
incapable  of  satisfying  the  heart  of  man ;  the  reli- 
gious have  renounced  them  in  devoting  themselves  to 
solitude ;  their  enjoyments  are  based  upon  the  solid 
foundation  of  the  eternal  recompenses  that  are 
assured  to  them ;  they  know  that  the  "  immutable 
Truth"  has  said:  "He  that  quits  all  to  follow  me, 
that  abandons  his  home,  his  goods  and  his  country,  his 
father  and  mother,  his  sisters  and  brothers,  for  the 
love  of  me,  shall  receive  a  hundred-fold,  and  after 
death,  eternal  life."  This  hundred-fold  they  already 
receive  in  the  consolations  of  which  people  of  the 
world  have  no  suspicion,  and  which  they  can  never 
comprehend ;  and  after  this  life,  they  hope  for  the 
possession  of  the  happiness  of  God  Himself.  As  far 
as  the  certainty  of  future  happiness  is  concerned,  they 
found  it  upon  two  infallible  principles : 

1st.  Upon  the  prerogatives  of  their  order,  and  the 
promises  made  to  their  saintly  founders;  2nd.  Upon 


23G  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

the  all-powerful  protection  of  their  grcacious  Mother, 
the  most  Holy  Virgin. 

As  to  the  prerogatives  of  their  order,  they  are,  it 
must  be  confessed,  most  precious  and  full  of  consola- 
tion :  we  shall  here  repeat  them  for  the  satisfaction 
of  the  friends  of  La  Trappe. 

"  Saint  Benedict,  the  first  founder  of  the  order,  and 
author  of  its  holy  rule,  being  one  day  in  deep  con- 
templation of  divine  things,  an  angel  of  the  Lord  ap- 
peared to  him,  and  said : 

Ask  of  God  whatever  you  wish :  he  is  disposed  to 
grant  it  to  you.  The  holy  patriarch  answered:  I 
have  already  received  too  many  favors  on  the  part 
of  God,  to  dare  to  solicit  new  ones  ;  let  Ilim,  in  his 
infinite  mercy,  do  for  me  what  is  most  pleasing  to  his 
Divine  Will.  The  angel  then  replied:  There  are 
five  things  which  God,  to  whom  it  belongs  to  listen  to 
and  exalt  the  humble : 

Ist.  Your  order  shall  continue  to  the  end  of  the 
world. 

2nd.  It  shall  remain  faithfully  attached  to  the 
Roman  Church  till  the  end  of  time,  and  shall 
strengthen  in  the  faith  an  immense  number  of  Chris- 
tians. 

3rd.  No  one  shall  ever  die  in  this  order  without 
being  in  a  state  of  grace.  lie  who  lives  wickedly,  or 
who  will  abandon  the  rule,  either  shall  be  confounded, 
or  be  excluded  from  the  order ;  or  shall  retire  from  it 
of  his  own  accord. 

4th.  All  those  who  persecute  your  order,  if  they 
repent  not,  shall  either  die  prematurely,  or  in  de- 
spair. 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM.  237 

5th.  All  those  who  love  your  order  shall  have  a 
happy  end." 

Next  to  the  great  Saint  Benedict,  we  shall  cite  the 
great  Saint  Bernard,  Abbot  of  Clairvaux.  This  holy 
father  entered  one  day  the  lecture-room  of  his  novices, 
in  order  to  address  to  them,  as  was  his  custom,  a  few 
words  of  edification ;  they  were  at  this  time  more  than 
one  hundred.  He  thus  terminated  his  instruction: 
"You  will  be  happy,  my  brethren,  if  you  persevere  in 
the  practices  of  our  holy  order ;  that  is  the  true  way, 
the  straight  way,  the  high  road  that  leads  in  an  un- 
broken line  to  the  mansions  of  eternal  joys.  In  all 
sincerity  I  declare  to  you  that  I  have  seen,  at  various 
times,  not  during  sleep,  or  in  a  dream,  but  whilst 
broad  awake,  and  during  the  time  of  prayer,  I  have 
Been,  I  say,  the  souls  of  our  religious,  both  lay-brothers 
and  novices,  scarcely  disengaged  from  their  bodies, 
sensibly  pass  from  this  valley  of  tears  into  the  bosom 
of  God,  and  ascend  without  obstacle  to  the  highest 
pinnacle  of  glory  in  Heaven."  He  then  added: 
"  Whereas  these  relations  interest  you,  I  have  still 
some  consoling  ones  to  relate.  One  day,  in  this  very 
monastery,  during  the  Mass  of  the  community,  it 
happened  that  one  of  the  servitors  of  the  altar  had 
forgotten  to  supply  the  cruets  with  the  wine  and  wa- 
ter required  for  the  holy  sacrifice.  This  was  the 
cause  of  some  delay  and  interruption.  During  this 
interval,  one  of  our  religious,  who  had  died  a  little  be- 
fore in  the  odor  of  sanctity,  appeared  to  me  in  the 
middle  of  the  choir:  he  remained  standing  before  me, 
and  pierced  me  with  his  severe  look.  I  asked  him 
what  he  desired,    and  he  replied :   If  your  brothers 


238  LIEE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

tvere  aware  wltat  companions  and  friends  await  tlie^n 
in  Heaven,  they  would  he  most  careful  of  preserving 
themselves  from  the  least  negligence,  in  order  not  to 
disp)lease  them,  for  they  are  all  destined  to  enter  one 
day  into  our  society.  These  words,  it  may  be  im- 
agined, filled  me  with  joy.  We  had  at  that  time  a 
lukewarm  brother,  who  seemed  to  be  attracting  others 
to  his  own  tepidity ;  he  was  the  cause  of  much  anxiety 
to  me.  God  willed  that  I  should  question  the  appari- 
tion on  the  subject  of  this  brother :  And  Brother 
N. — mentioning  his  name — do  you  think  that  he  also 
shall  be  saved  ?  He  replied :  That  Brother  also  shall 
be  saved  with  all  the  others;  and  so  saying,  he  dis- 
appeared. But  do  not  imagine,  my  dear  children," 
continued  the  saint,  "that  these  consoling  promises 
have  reference  only  to  the  brothers  that  were  then  iu 
the  monastery :  they  also  have  reference  to  you,  who 
inhabit  it  at  this  time,  and  to  all  those  who  here- 
after shall  serve  the  Lord  in  our  holy  order :  this 
heavenly  messenger  has  positively  said,  that  all  may 
be  assured  of  salvation,  and  of  the  mercy  of  the 
Lord." 

On  another  occasion,  the  same  saint  related  the 
following  fact  in  full  chapter  :  "  In  one  of  the  monas- 
teries of  our  order,  a  religious  by  the  name  of  Gerard 
fell  sick ;  suddenly  he  was  oppressed  with  great  weak- 
ness, and  was  supposed  dead.  He  remained  a  long 
time  in  this  state,  surrounded  by  his  brothers  and 
the  Abbot.  At  length,  he  awoke  from  this  lethargic 
state,  opened  his  eyes  and  exclaimed  :  0  happy  obedi- 
ence !  I  come  from  the  tribunal  of  Jesus  Christ;  I 
have  even  seen  him  face  to  face ;  he  has  said  to  me : 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  239 

Behold  your  place  in  the  midst  of  your  brethren ;  no 
religious  of  your  order  shall  ever  perish,  if  he  love 
his  state  and  persevere  in  it ;  he  shall  be  purified 
entirely  at  the  moment  of  death,  or  very  soon  after. 
Thus  having  spoken,  he  became  speechless,  and  had 
barely  time  to  receive  the  Holy  Viaticum,  before  his 
final  departure." 

We  have  taken  those  facts  from  the  works  of  St. 
Bernard.  Being  so  extraordinary,  we  did  not  give 
them  blind  faith,  but  had  recourse  to  authorities.  We 
are  happy  in  finding  numerous  testimonies  of  their 
authenticity ;  testimonies  that  have  operated  in  our 
mind  a  full  and  entire  conviction.  We  have  them 
now  under  our  eyes,  but  deem  it  sufficient  to  mention 
their  names,  without  quoting  the  words,  as  it  will  be 
easy  for  any  one  to  verify  the  facts  in  the  original 
authors.  The  first  we  consulted,  was  the  learned  and 
judicious  Mabillon,  Works  of  Saint  Bernard,  vol- 
ume 2nd,  chapter  7th,  page  1197. — Manrique,  Annals 
of  the  Cisterciens,  chapter  2nd,  page  122,  and  chap- 
ter 3rd,  page  147.  The  works  of  Cesaire,  and  also 
the  works  of  Herbert.  All  these  authors  relate  the 
same  facts ;  we  moreover  find  in  them  the  very  words 
of  certain  religious  contemporary  with  Saint  Bernard, 
asserting  that  they  had  heard  those  very  recitals  from 
the  mouth  of  that  holy  man ;  and  among  others,  the 
words  of  a  certain  Brother  John,  temporal  provider 
of  Clairvaux,  who  also  adds,  that  such  revelations  had 
very  much  contributed  to  his  own  perseverance  in  the 
order. 

In  addition  to  what  we  have  said,  it  is  easy  to  pro- 
duce an  argument,  which,  we  trust,  \vill  be  brought 


240  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

home  to  every  understanding.  It  is  the  following: 
The  conduct  of  a  man  who,  in  order  to  insure  his 
salvation,  renounces  all  the  pleasures  of  the  world, 
and  embraces  a  manner  of  life  painful  to  nature, 
cannot  proceed  from  anything  else  but  a  principle  of 
the  most  exalted  charity,  which  it  is  impossible  to 
reconcile  with  a  state  of  sin ;  and  God,  who  is  essen- 
tially good  and  merciful,  cannot  refuse  eternal  recom- 
pense to  him  who  is  found  and  perseveres  in  so  happy 
a  disposition.  Besides,  the  man  whom  we  describe, 
being  in  favor  with  God,  on  account  of  the  vivid  senti- 
ment of  divine  charity  that  determined  his  entrance 
into  religion,  finds  in  the  cloister  a  thousand  resources 
in  the  austerities  of  the  rule,  to  eiface  his  former  sins, 
and  to  prevent  relapse.  In  the  monastery,  there  are 
scarcely  any  occasions  offered  for  resuming  old  habits ; 
on  the  contrary,  everything  there  tends  to  make  him 
forget  them.  Again,  he  destroys  in  the  bud  every 
evil  inclination  that  may  have  growth  in  the  heart,  by 
a  daily  confession  of  them,  publicly  made  in  the  chap- 
ter-room ;  and  if  he  should  be  blind  to  his  own  defects, 
his  brother-monks  would  not  be  slow  to  discover  them, 
and  thus,  by  charitably  proclaiming  them,  oblige  him 
to  exterminate  them  effectually. 

Finally,  when  a  religious  submits  himself  to  the 
strict  observance  of  La  Trappe,  such  as  it  is  practised 
in  all  its  purity  now-a-days  in  France,  it  may  be 
asserted,  that  he  is  the  friend  of  God,  and  that  he 
quits  the  bed  of  ashes  on  which  he  breathes  his  last 
sigh,  only  to  repose  in  His  bosom.  It  is  impossible 
to  conceive  that  any  one  of  an  impenitent  mind ; 
that  a  soul  given  up  to  evil  passions  and  sold  to  the 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  241 

enemy  of  mankind,  can  resist  the  austerities  of  re- 
ligion ;  and  if,  through  bravado,  through  the  spirit 
of  contradiction,  or  through  any  other  evil  motive, 
such  a  man  should  endeavor  to  make  the  trial,  it  would 
not  be  for  a  long  time ;  for  he  would  either  depart  of 
his  own  accord,  or,  as  the  vision  of  Saint  Benedict 
affirms,  the  dispositions  of  his  heart,  so  unlike  his 
exterior  practices,  would  soon  betray  him ;  he  would 
find  himself  unmasked,  and  be  obliged  to  quit,  if  he 
did  not  adopt  better  principles.  No !  there  can  be 
no  deception ;  for  nothing  but  the  peace  of  the  soul, 
nothing  but  the  pure  spirit  of  the  love  of  God,  can 
keep  any  one  at  La  Trappe,  and  enable  him  to  gather 
roses  in  the  midst  of  apparent  thorns.  From  all  that 
has  been  said,  we  may,  then,  justly  conclude,  that  the 
revelations  made  to  the  founders  of  this  order,  contain 
nothing  contradictory  to  the  lights  of  the  most  sound 
reason. 

The  holy  joys  of  the  religious  are  also  guarantied 
to  them  by  the  protection  of  the  ever  Blessed  Virgin. 
The  religious  of  La  Trappe  honor  this  illustrious 
Queen  with  a  particular  veneration,  giving  to  her  the 
worship  of  hyperdoulia,  whilst  they  give  to  God  alone 
the  worship  of  latria.  They  honor  her  nearly  as 
much  as  her  Divine  Son :  every  day  they  recite  her 
office,  as  they  do  the  canonical  hours ;  indeed,  it  may 
be  said  that  they  wish  to  honor  the  creature  more 
than  the  creator,  whereas  they  begin  their  office 
always  with  singing  the  praises  of  Mary  before  cele- 
brating the  corresponding  part  of  the  other  canonical 
obligations.  In  like  manner,  they  appear  eager  to 
offer  to  this  benevolent  Patroness  the  first  part  of 
21 


242  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPURAIM. 

the  day;  their  first  duty,  after  rising  at  midnight, 
being  to  recite  the  matins  of  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
and  their  last  at  night,  before  retiring  to  rest,  being 
the  complins  of  the  same,  together  with  the  solemn 
singing  of  the  Salve  Regina.  In  addition  to  this, 
their  most  solemn  festivals  are  those  dedicated  to  this 
Queen  of  Angels. 

Nor  is  God  jealous  of  this  ;  He  Himself  has  honored 
Mary  much  more  than  men  have  it  in  their  power  to 
honor  her.  It  was  He  who  raised  her  to  the  high 
dignity  of  being  the  Mother  of  God ;  it  was  He,  in 
becoming  man,  that  wished  to  be  formed  from  her 
virgin  blood ;  and  it  was  He,  in  fine,  who,  in  coming 
into  this  world  to  perform  the  wonders  of  his  incar- 
nation, has  chosen  the  heart  of  Mary,  as  a  suitable 
spot  for  the  erection  of  an  altar,  upon  which  he  first 
offered  himself  to  his  Father  as  a  victim  of  propitiation 
for  sinful  man,  thereby  authorizing  the  worship  that 
has  been  afterwards  rendered  to  her.  God,  our  Re- 
deemer, is  pleased  to  see  his  humble  servants,  not 
daring  to  present  themselves  upon  their  own  merits 
before  the  throne  of  his  Majesty,  but  addressing 
themselves  to  his  compassionate  Mother,  and  making 
her  their  intercessor  with  her  divine  Son.  It  was 
only  through  Mary  that  He  wished  to  come  to  us ; 
through  Mary,  also,  it  is  his  pleasure  that  we  ascend 
to  Him. 

But  if  the  religious  of  La  Trappe  have  placed 
themselves  under  the  lofty  patronage  of  Mary,  that 
glorious  Queen,  on  her  part,  has  taken  under  her 
£Cgis,  and  chosen  as  her  especial  favorites,  the  numer- 
ous children   of   Saint   Robert,   Saint   Albcric,    and 


LIFE   or   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  243 

Saint  Bernard.  The  ^^  Annals  of  tJie  Chterciens'" 
preserve  a  pious  tradition,  -whicli  it  would  be  difficult 
to  gainsay :  it  is  that  of  an  alliance  which  this  illus- 
trious Virgin  had  entered  into  with  the  first  of  those 
Saints,  who  was  the  first  Cistercian  Abbot,  and  the 
regenerator  of  monastic  discipline  in  France.  Even 
before  his  birth,  the  Holy  Virgin  appeared  to  his 
mother,  the  pious  Ermengarda,  and  presented  her 
with  a  gold  ring,  as  a  token  of  alliance  with  the  Son 
she  was  carrying  in  her  womb.  Saint  Alberic  also 
received  most  splendid  testimonies  of  the  protection 
of  this  tender  mother.  It  is  related  that  she  ap- 
peared to  him,  on  one  occasion,  bearing  in  her  hand  a 
cowl  or  tunic  of  dazzling  whiteness,  with  which  she 
clothed  him  as  with  her  own  livery.  It  was  after  this 
that  the  Cistercians  abandoned  the  black  habits,  and 
assumed  white  ones.  It  is  also  related,  in  an  excel- 
lent work,  entitled,  ^^  Astrum  Cisterciense,"  that  the 
same  Saint  Alberic,  being  one  day  rapt  in  contem- 
plation, the  Holy  Virgin  appeared  to  him,  and,  after 
having  promised  the  propagation  and  increase  of  his 
order,  she  added,  "  I,  myself,  will  protect  and  defend 
this  order  even  to  the  end  of  the  world :"  Ugo  ordi- 
nem  istum  usque  infinem  sseeuli  protecjam  et  de- 
fendam. 

It  is  sufficient  to  have  even  a  slight  knowledge  of 
the  history  of  the  Cistercian  order,  to  become  con- 
vinced with  what  fidelity  Mary  has  kept  her  promise, 
and  Avith  what  solicitude  she  has  constantly  protected 
its  children  in  their  troubles  and  tribulations.  Pope 
Innocent  VIII.  presents  a  striking  proof  of  this 
protection.     That  sovereign  pontiff  was  deliberating 


244  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

with  himself,  whether  he  should  suppress  the  Cister- 
cian order,  which  appeared  to  him  of  little  advantage 
to  the  church  at  the  time  it  had  fallen  into  great 
relaxation ;  the  Holy  Virgin  appeared  to  him  with  a 
threatening  air,  and  reproved  him  in  these  words : 
"  You  wish  to  destroy  the  Cistercian  order,  of  which 
I  am  the  Protectress,  but  you  shall  not  succeed  in 
your  undertaking ;  and  if  you  do  not  speedily  re- 
nounce your  evil  design,  I  myself  will  bruise  both 
you  and  your  authority :"  Tu  ordinem  Cisterciensem 
cujus  Advocata  ego  sum,  destruere  conaris,  sed  non 
prwvalebis,  et  nisi  citius  de  tuo  malo  2'>'^oi)oslto 
resipiscas,  ego  te  et  otnnem  tuam  potestatem  con- 
fer ain. 

A  young  man  of  Cologne  had,  without  knowing 
wherefore,  conceived  in  his  heart  a  deadly  hatred  to 
the  Cistercian  order;  he  was  continually  in  the  habit 
of  calumniating  it,  and  would  not  abstain  from  his 
evil  designs  against  it,  until  the  Blessed  Mary  her- 
self appeared  to  him,  and  said,  "  Wicked  child !  you 
are  calumniating  and  trying  to  injure  the  best  friends 
I  have  in  the  whole  world."  Thus  saying,  she  disap- 
peared. 

If  it  were  possible  to  excel  in  the  confidence  the 
whole  Cistercian  order  have  for  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
Aiguebelle  would  be  found  the  place  where  her  pro- 
tection is  most  eagerly  sought.  To  Mary  is  attri- 
buted the  progressive  prosperity  of  the  Monastery. 
As  she  is  its  guardian,  they  have  her  statue  in  every 
place  ;  in  the  cloisters,  at  the  gates,  in  all  the  avenues, 
and  even  upon  the  roof  of  the  house,  whence  she  may 
discover   enemies   at  a  distance,   and    defeat    (make 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  245 

sport  of)  their  hostile  projects.  The  arras  of  Aigue- 
bcllc  arc  a  bridge,  upon  whicli  the  Virgin  is  repre- 
sented in  the  act  of  pouring  out  waves  of  favors,  and 
limpid  waters — aqua  i?tf^^a— flowing  under  the  bridge. 
When  the  Reverend  Abbot  is  absent  from  the  monas- 
tery, a  statue  of  Mary,  holding  the  keys  in  her  hands, 
is  placed  in  his  seat,  and  in  the  refectory  she  is 
served  as  the  superior  would  be  served,  were  he 
present,  and  the  portion  afterwards  given  to  a  poor 
family. 

But  if  Mary  protects  her  servants  so  well  upon 
earth,  it  is  easy  to  conceive  that  she  docs  not  desert 
them  in  a  better  life,  when  she  can  surround  them 
with  more  efficacious  protection.     Among  the  numer- 
ous relations  on  this  score,  that  we  could  draw  from 
the  books  of  the  order,  we  will  select  one  mentioned 
by  many  authors  worthy  of  credit :  A  certain  Cister- 
cian monk,  having  great  love  for  his  sovereign  Pro- 
tectress, was  once,  whilst  in  a  trance,  permitted  to 
contemplate  the  glory  of  heaven  ;  he  saw  there  the 
different  orders  of  the   church  triumphant,  Angels, 
Patriarchs,  Prophets,  Apostles,  Martyrs,  Confessors, 
Virgins,   all    distinguished   by  particular    character- 
istics :  he  also  noticed  many  religious  of  the  various 
religious  orders.     Whilst  he  was  anxiously  looking 
about  for  some  of  his  own  order,  and  was  pained  at 
not  being  able  to  discover  any  of  his  co-religious  par- 
takers of  this  heavenly  splendor,  he  addressed  him- 
self, weeping,  to  the  Blessed  Mother  of  God,  and  said 
to  her :  "  What  is  the  reason,  0  Sovereign  Mistress, 
that  I  do  not  see   here  even  one  of  the  Cistercian 
order  ?     Why  arc  your  servants,  those  so  devoted  to 
21* 


210  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MAllTA    EPIIRAIM. 

you,  excluded  from  this  abode  of  happiness  ?"  The 
Queen  of  Heaven  soon  calmed  his  trouble  by  answer- 
ing him,  "  Those  that  belong  to  the  Cistercian  order 
are  all  so  dear  to  me  that  I  keep  them  always  at  my 
side."  At  the  same  time,  she  raised  her  royal  mantle 
of  great  breadth,  and  showed  him  an  innumerable 
multitude  of  Cistercian  religious,  male  and  female, 
concealed  under  it.  After  returning  to  himself,  the 
monk  related  to  his  abbot  all  he  had  seen  and  heard, 
■with  expressions  of  the  greatest  joy  and  gratitude. 

The  following  is  another  relation  drawn  from  the 
jUmals  of  the  Cisterciayi  order,  and  the  circumstance 
occurred  at  a  period  nearer  our  own  times,  in  the 
monastery  of  the  Grande  Trappe,  situated  in  the 
vicinity  of  Perche,  France  :  "  A  religious  of  this  house 
being  at  the  point  of  death,  two  of  the  brothers  were 
charged  to  attend  him.  It  happened  that  both  were 
called  away  at  the  same  time  from  the  room  in  which 
he  lay,  and  left  him  alone  for  a  few  moments.  At 
that  moment,  two  imps  of  darkness  entered,  and 
standing  up  in  a  corner  of  the  room,  they  clapped 
their  hands,  laughed  with  satanic  joy,  and  said,  one 
to  the  other,  '  To-morrow  early  we  will  have  the  plea- 
sure of  dragging  this  soul  to  our  infernal  abode.'  The 
patient  hearing  such  dreadful  words,  trembled  in  all 
his  limbs,  and  frightful  remorse  suddenly  seized  his 
conscience.  Before  his  conversion,  he  had  had  the  mis- 
fortune of  committing  some  heinous  sins,  which  he 
never  had  resolution  enough  to  confess,  neither  whilst 
he  was  a  secular  priest,  nor  whilst  a  novice,  nor  since 
his  profession ;  false  shame  had  always  deterred  him. 
In  his  fright  he  directed  his  wild  glances  in  every 


LIFE   OP   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  247 

direction,  when,  in  the  opposite  corner  of  the  room, 
he  saw  the  figure  of  a  beautiful  ladj,  who  addressed 
the  demons  in  these  words,  'Be  not  so  hasty  in  pro- 
claiming your  victory ;  for  I  myself  shall  find  a  method 
of  saving  him  from  your  cruel  hands.'  Scarcely  had 
these  words  been  uttered  when  the  two  attendants 
returned,  and  the  vision  disappeared.  The  sick  monk 
had  no  doubt  that  this  lady,  who  had  thus  appeared 
to  him,  was  the  blessed  Virgin  herself,  and  that  the 
method  of  saving  him  from  the  fangs  of  the  demons, 
was  the  supplying  him  with  courage  to  confess  his 
sins.  Animated,  at  the  same  time,  by  powerful  grace, 
he  sent  for  the  prior  of  the  monastery,  made  a 
general  confession  to  him  of  all  his  sins,  with  great 
sorrow  and  repentance,  and  begged,  as  a  favor,  that 
all  that  had  happened,  should  be  related  to  the 
Reverned  Abbot,  who  was  then  absent.  He  then 
received  the  sacrament  of  Extreme  Unction,  and 
afterwards,  the  Holy  Viaticum ;  and  at  the  very  hour 
designated  by  the  demons,  he  expired,  full  of  peace 
and  of  confidence  in  the  mercies  of  the  Lord." 

All  these  facts  are  of  a  remote  date :  it  would  be 
easy  to  relate  others  that  passed  in  our  own  days, 
which,  if  not  so  extraordinary,  have  yet  not  failed  to 
produce  abundant  consolation  for  those  who  were  the 
subjects  of  them.  We  are  personal  witnesses  to  many 
that  transpired  at  Aiguebelle,  that  evidently  prove 
protection  from  on  High,  and  were  we  not  afraid  of 
alarming  the  modesty  of  the  good  religious  of  that 
monastery,  we  would  relate  many  that  would  cause 
edification  to  pious  souls ;  these  would  see  that  Mary 
is  always  a  mother,  full  of  tenderness  and  compassion 


248  LIFE    OF    FATHER   MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

for  those  Avho  devote  themselves  to  her  service.    Not- 
withstanding our  reserve,  we  cannot  forbear  from  re- 
lating one  which  we  make  choice  of  among  a  thousand. 
V K  certain  young  man  of  Vivarais, — whose  name  we 
shall  conceal,  because  his  family  is  still  in  existence, 
— the  child  of  Calvinistic   parents,   having  had   the 
happiness  of  learning  the  true  faith,  became  a  Catho- 
lic.    Soon  after,  he  became  a  lay-brother  Trappist  in 
the  monastery  of  Aiguebelle,  and  during  many  years 
edified  his  brother  monks  by  his  regular  and  exem- 
plary life.     Attacked  at  last  by  the  sickness  of  which 
he  died,  he  prepared  himself  for  his  last  act  by  addi- 
tional fervor.     His  malady  grew  worse ;  he  received 
the  last  sacraments  with  a  tranquillity  quite  remark 
able,   and  was    then   placed   upon   the   ashes.     The 
religious  surrounding  him  were  edified  at  the  tran- 
quillity that  marked  his  last  moments.     But  behold ! 
all  on  a  sudden  the  scene  changes :  to  this  calm  suc- 
ceeds a  frightful  tempest,  the  dying  man  starts  up, 
raises  a  harsh  cry,  and  terrible  agitation  seizes  upon 
all  his  senses.     In  vain  do  the  attendants  make  use 
of  words  of  encouragement  and  confidence ;  he  is  deaf 
to  all  that  can  be  urged,  and  his  cries  are  redoubled, 
whilst  the  assistants  know  not  what  to  do,  or  what  to 
recur  to  on  such  an  emergency.     They  are  still  more 
terrified  when  the  attending  priest,  holding  a  crucifix, 
presents  it  to  the  embraces  of  the  patient,  and  the 
latter  gives  it  a  rude  repulse,  and  distinctly  afiirms 
that  he  does  not  want  to  look  upon  it ;  adding  to  this 
formal  refusal  words  of  the  greatest  blasphemy.     All 
this  passed  in  the  midst  of  midnight  darkness ;  this 
circumstance  added  to  the  spectacle  of  death,  and  of 


LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA   EPHRAIM.  249 

a  death,  too,  so  little  consoling  to  the  spectators. 
They  seemed  to  hear  frightful  noises  ;  they  believed  at 
one  time — it  is  their  own  expression — that  all  the 
devils  of  hell  had  taken  possession  of  the  monastery. 

All  the  community  had  already  gone  to  repose ;  all 
except  those  who  were  watching  at  the  couch  of  the 
unfortunate,  who  was  thus  painfully  contending  with 
the  last  assaults  of  death.  These  deemed  it  expedient 
to  send  for  the  Father  Abbot.  At  that  very  moment, 
the  Reverend  Father  was  roused  by  a  voice  distinctly 
saying:  Quick,  go  to  the  assistance  of  the  dying 
brother.  He  immediately  rises  from  bed,  firmly 
beliovino-  that  some  one  of  the  brothers  that  had  been 
left  in  attendance  on  the  sick  person  had  called  him, 
and  is  surprised  to  find  no  one  in  the  dormitory.  At 
a  little  distance  from  the  infirmary,  he  meets  the 
messenger  that  was  sent  to  call  him,  and  without  re- 
flecting farther  on  the  subject,  proceeds  to  the  room 
of  the  miserable  patient.  He  is  astonished  at  the 
desperate  state  in  which  he  finds  him,  and  vainly  en- 
deavors to  bring  back  his  former  confidence.  Every- 
thing seems  to  increase  the  horror  of  the  circumstance, 
and  he  cannot  help  believing  that  something  super- 
natural had  occurred:  he  reflects  for  an  instant ;  .  . 
.  .  an  idea  comes  to  him.  The  unhappy  man  had 
lived  a  long  time  a  Protestant,  and  had  not  been  con- 
verted until  long  after  arriving  at  the  age  of  maturity  : 
perhaps  he  had  never  been  baptised ;  at  least,  validly. 
He  puts  the  question,  and  behold !  the  sick  man  is 
already  at  peace;  the  secret  enemies  that  had  so 
cruelly  tormented  him,  seeing  themselves  unmasked, 
remain  silent,  when  the  string  which  they  used  so 


250  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

advantageously  to  torture  their  victim  was  touched 
upon.  In  the  mean  time,  the  sick  person  answered 
without  any  coherency ;  it  is  then  remembered,  that 
there  was  in  the  monastery  a  religious  who  was  wit- 
ness of  his  conversion  and  of  his  reception  into  the 
Catholic  church ;  they  hasten  to  inform  themselves 
through  him,  whether  the  patient  had  been  baptised 
after  his  conversion.  His  answer  is  in  the  negative. 
After  this  there  was  no  longer  any  doubt ;  this  good 
brother  had  never  received  Holy  Baptism ;  God,  in 
his  mercy,  had  permitted  him  to  be  thus  afflicted,  in 
order  that  he  might  not  be  deprived  of  that  gracious 
Sacrament.  In  fine,  the  Reverend  Father  baptised 
him  conditionally :  very  soon  a  holy  joy  sheds  itself 
upon  the  new  Christian  ;  calm  takes  possession  of  him, 
and  he  expresses  his  happiness  of  living  and  dying  a 
Catholic,  and  a  Trappist  religious.  He  soon  after,  full 
of  peace  and  confidence  in  the  mercy  of  God,  fell 
asleep  in  eternity. 

We  give  this  fact,  such  as  it  has  transpired ;  we 
guarantee  the  circumstances,  such  as  they  have  been 
related  to  us  by  many  witnesses  who  were  present  on 
the  occasion.  Whether  the  Reverend  Abbot  had  been 
awaked  by  the  guardian  angel  of  the  sufferer,  or  by 
his  holy  Protectress,  the  ever  Blessed  Virgin,  or  by 
natural  causes,  it  is  not  for  us  to  decide ;  but  that  the 
thought  of  administering  the  Holy  Sacrament  of 
Baptism  to  the  good  brother,  had  been  suggested 
from  on  high,  none  except  those  skeptical  in  regard 
to  all  religious  truths,  will,  we  trust,  go  to  deny. 
That  his  dying  moments  were  watched  by  the  com- 
mon enemy  of  all  souls,  is  certainly  indisputable,  and 


LIFE   OP   FATHER   MAllIA   EPIIRAIM.  251 

that  he  made  a  happy  end  is  equally  so :  his  death  at 
one  moment  presented  the  most  alarming  symptoms, 
and  God  permitted  that  it  should  be  one  of  the  most 
happy.  May  we  not  in  this  discover  an  instance  of 
the  fulfilment  of  the  promises  made  to  Saint  Benedict, 
and  Saint  Bernard :  "None  of  those  who  persevere 
in  your  order,  shall  perish  !" 

The  calm,  the  holy  confidence,  the  pleasing  joy 
•which  attend  the  last  moments  of  those  who  die  at  La 
Trappe,  have  been  themes  of  constant  admiration. 
Among  people  of  the  world,  death  very  often  presents 
itself  in  a  most  painful,  and  not  unfrequently,  in  a 
most  terrific  shape ;  the  last  efforts  made  by  nature 
before  final  dissolution  are  of  the  most  horrid  kind. 
At  La  Trappe,  quite  a  different  scene  is  presented. 
There,  everything  consoles  the  dying  religious,  who 
had  long  before  provided  for  this  inevitable  end  of 
all ;  long  since  he  belonged  no  longer  to  this  life,  and 
having  disarmed  by  penance  and  mortifications  the 
enemy  of  his  soul,  he  fears  no  longer  his  attacks,  be- 
cause to  him  death  is  a  happy  deliverance,  a  fortunate 
passage  to  a  better  life.  3Iori  lucrum  est;  to  him 
death  is  gain.  Now,  for  this  immense  favor  at  a 
moment  so  critical,  so  decisive,  the  religious  of  La 
Trappe  hold  themselves  indebted  to  the  August  Patro- 
ness of  their  order ;  to  that  good  Mother  who  had  pro- 
tected them  during  their  lives,  who  consoles  them  at 
the  hour  of  death,  as  they  so  often  besought  her  to  do, 
whilst  reciting  the  Ave  Maria ;  and  through  whom 
they  hope  to  be  presented  to  the  just  Remunerator  of 
all  the  monastic  labors  they  had  undergone  for  His 
love. 


252  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

In  gcnenal,  the  Trappist  does  not  die  by  any  well- 
defined  malady ;  lie  dies,  because  such  is  the  lot  of 
all — of  the  poor  Trappist  as  well  as  of  the  rich  world- 
ling. Life  in  him  is  extinguished  without  any  great 
agony  ;  he  even  feels  the  gradual  approach  of  the  very 
moment  of  death,  and  begs  to  be  strengthened  by  all 
the  consolations  of  religion.  His  brethren  assemble 
around  him ;  he  receives  his  Lord  for  the  last  time  in 
this  world,  and  breathes  his  last  in  the  presence  of 
the  assembled  community,  and  ere  they  had  finished 
the  usual  prayers  for  the  recommendation  of  a  depart- 
ing soul,  to  which  prayers  he  had  himself  uttered  re- 
sponses at  the  commencement.  Another  remarkable 
fact  attending  the  death  of  Trappists,  is,  that  by  a 
special  privilege,  for  which  they  believe  themselves 
indebted  to  the  great  Queen  of  Heaven,  almost  all  die 
on  a  Saturday,  the  day  consecrated  to  her  by  the 
Church  ;  or  on  some  of  her  remarkable  festivals :  on 
such  days  do  the  penitential  Trappists  quit  this  world 
of  banishment,  to  fly  in  the  bosom  of  their  Mother, 
to  their  true  country — the  home  prepared  for  them 
forever  in  Heaven. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

BKOTHEU  MARIA  EPHRAIM  IS  EXPOSED  TO  OTHER  TRIALS.  HIS  FE- 
MALE COUSIN  DECIDES  UPON  EMBRACING  A  RELIGIOUS  LIFE.  SOME 
FARTHER  REMARKS  UPON  LA  TRAPPE  ELICITED  BY  THE  NEW 
DIFFICULTIES  THAT  ARE  THROWN  IN  THE  WAY  OP  HIS  PERSEVE- 
RANCE. 

The  more  our  brother  Ephraim  was  initiated  in  the 
knowledge  and  privileges  of  his  order,  the  greater 
became  his  religious  fervor,  and  the  more  closely  did  he 
participate  in  the  happiness  of  his  religious  brethren. 
But  the  demon  of  evil  became  jealous,  and  attacked 
him  anew ;  directing  his  assults  this  time  against  that 
part  of  the  citadel  of  his  heart,  that  was  the  least 
fortified. 

Since  his  return  to  Aiguebelle,  brother  Maria 
Ephraim  had  addressed  various  letters  to  his  family, 
without  receiving  any  in  answer ;  indeed,  notwith- 
standing his  repeated  solicitations,  his  relations  seemed 
determined  to  break  oif  all  correspondence  with  him. 
All  this  afiected  him  the  more,  as  he  had  left  them  in 
a  rather  painful  condition.  In  this  state  of  anxiety 
he  remained  some  considerable  time,  until  a  letter  at 
last  reached  him,  which,  far  from  giving  consolation, 
was  the  cause  of  plunging  him  into  deeper  grief.  By 
it  he  learned  that  his  father,  whom  domestic  troubles, 
and  especially  the  cruel  desertion  of  his  son,  had  so 
sensibly  affected,  was  fallen  into  a  most  languid  state  ; 
that  his  health  was  becoming  worse  every  day,  and 
that  he  was  apparently  sinking  into  a  premature  grave  ; 
22  (253) 


254  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MAllIA    EPIIllAIM. 

moreover,  that  it  was  the  decided  opinion  of  the 
physicians,  that  nothing  but  the  speedy  return  of  the 
son  to  his  paternal  roof,  could  bring  any  mitigation 
to  his  disorder. 

The  effect  of  such  melancholy  news  upon  the  tender 
heart  of  brother  Ephraim,  may  be  easily  imagined ; 
upon  the  heart  of  so  tender  a  son,  who  had  no  other 
earthly  affection  than  for  his  father  and  sister,  and 
who  had  no  other  regret  in  following  his  Saviour 
through  the  path  of  Calvary,  than  the  affliction  he 
was  about  to  bring  upon  those  whom  he  loved  only 
less  than  he  loved  God,  and  for  whose  happiness  he 
would  willingly  sacrifice  himself.  But  in  the  moments 
the  most  desperate,  the  saints  despair  not.  After 
reading  so  afflicting  a  letter,  brother  Ephraim  yielded 
a  few  tears  to  his  natural  affection,  and  then  turning 
himself  towards  his  God,  he  exclaimed  in  accents  of 
grief:  "  0  my  God,  my  sins  are  the  cause  of  all  this, 
but  I  ardently  desire  to  make  satisfaction  for  them : 
for  this  purpose  am  I  come  hither  to  this  house  of 
penance,  and  you,  my  God,  know  that  I  have  left  all 
to  follow  you,  and  that,  notwithstanding  the  affection 
I  had  towards  those  bound  to  me  by  the  ties  of  natu- 
ral relationship,  I  have  not  hesitated  to  make  the 
sacrifice  you  demanded  from  me  ;  do  not  permit,  then, 
O  most  merciful  God,  that  my  obedience  be  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  life  of  him,  whom  you  order  me  to  honor 
and  obey  as  my  earthly  father."  .  .  .  Scarcely  had  he 
pronounced  these  words,  than  he  felt  his  heart  full  of 
confidence,  and  possessed  of  sufficient  strength  to  offer 
to  God  this  sacrifice  also,  continuing  his  supplication 
in  the  words  of  the  Saviour  agonizing  in  the  garden 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA   EPHIIAIM.  255 

of  Olives :  "  If  it  be  possible,  0  my  God,  take  from 
me  this  cup;  but  thy  will  be  done,  not  mine."  From 
that  moment,  the  Demon  acknowledged  himself  con- 
quered, and  departed  from  him  forever.  God  Him- 
self, satisfied  with  the  noble  contest  of  his  servant, 
ceased  all  further  trial,  and  added  a  greater  amount 
of  consolations ;  it  is  thus  that,  in  his  goodness,  he 
practises  towards  all  who  love  Ilim.  Soon  after,  our 
brother  Ephraim  received  a  letter  from  his  aunt,  that 
announced  to  him,  though  without  the  knowledge  of 
the  rest  of  the  family,  that  all  that  had  been  written 
concerning  the  illness  of  his  father,  was  all  a  fiction, 
fabricated  expressly  to  recall  him  to  Perpignan,  and 
to  oppose  his  religious  vocation.  This  letter,  in  all 
respects  tender  and  loving,  contained  also  some  ex- 
cellent advice  as  to  the  prudent  conduct  that  the 
young  novice  shall  pursue  before  engaging  himself 
irrevocably  to  his  order,  but  one  paragraph  in  par- 
ticular filled  him  with  joy ;  it  was  that  in  which  his 
aunt  acquainted  him  with  the  resolution  adopted  by 
her  own  daughter,  and  his  cousin,  of  consecrating  her- 
self to  God  in  the  monastic  state. 

God  is  admirable  in  his  designs.  When  the  brother 
Ephraim  quitted  his  noviciate  to  re-enter  the  world, 
one  would  imagine  that  it  was  all  over  with  his  voca- 
tion, and  that  he  departed  from  his  solitude,  never 
more  to  return.  Such  was  really  the  fixed  project  of 
his  relations,  and  we  have  seen,  that  he  himself  con- 
sidered it  a  culpnble  act  of  weakness  to  yield  to  their 
wishes.  Well,  God  Himself  was  the  author  of  this 
event;  Ho  Himself  made  this  very  removal  a  means 
of  accomplishing  His  own  designs ;  He  sent  the  young 


256  LIFE    OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

novice  as  His  visible  agent.  Independently  of  the 
other  objects  of  edification  that  He  Avished  to  draw 
from  the  spectacle  which  his  chosen  vessel,  the  young 
man  Ferrer,  exhibited  to  the  world,  in  putting  before 
the  eyes  of  all  an  example  of  the  mighty  power  of 
virtue  assisted  by  grace  ;  He  sent  him  in  particular  to 
gain  over  to  the  ranks  of  the  faithful  in  the  monastic 
army,  his  cousin  first,  and  his  sister,  afterwards.  We 
should  not  forget,  that  the  pious  examples  of  these 
two  young  ladies  had  been  the  chief  means  of  res- 
cuing himself  from  the  life  of  dissipation  he  was 
leading,  and  of  drawing  him,  as  if  by  force,  to  the 
feet  of  the  pious  director,  who  implanted  in  his  mind 
the  happy  dispositions  that  remained  indelibly  fixed 
thereon.  He  had  contracted  a  debt  towards  them, 
which  he  was  about  to  repay  ;  and  as  God  made  use 
of  the  faithful  young  women  to  serve  for  the  conver- 
sion of  their  friend  and  brother,  so  He  made  use  of 
the  latter  for  the  confirming  of  theii;  own  religious 
vocation.  Brother  Maria  Ephraim,  when  writing  to 
the  good  Abbe  G.  .  ..  some  time  after  his  return  to 
Aiguebelle,  thus  expresses  himself:  "I  beseech  you 
not  to  lose  sight  of.  the  future  Trappist  nun ;  I  am 
deeply  interested  in  her  vocation  ;  I  have  remarked  in 
her  a  fund  of  piety  seldom  to  be  met  with  now-a-days, 
and  am  convinced  that  she  is  called  to  a  religious  life, 
and  that  she  will  make  a  good  nun;  how  happy  would 
I  be  to  hear,  that  she  had  taken  the  habit !  As  to 
my  sister,  I  have  not  been  able  to  judge  of  her  so 
attentively,  but  I  believe  that  she  is  not  made  for  this 
world  any  more  than  her  cousin ;  send  both  of  them 
soon  to  their  true  homes  in  the  ranks  of  a  religious 


LIFE   OP   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  257 

sisterhood."  It  ^ill  be  seen  in  the  sequel,  how  this 
double  prophecy  has  been  fulfilled. 

Brother  Ephraim  blessed  the  Lord  for  the  more 
cheerful  news  be  received  from  his  family,  and  al- 
though his  heart  was  sensibly  affected  by  the  false 
alarm,  this  did  not  occasion  any  diminution  of  his  af- 
fection towards  those  who  were  the  cause  of  it.  He 
excused  their  intention,  and  considered  their  proceed- 
ings, though  blameworthy  in  themselves,  as  excesses 
to  which  a  too  great  affection  for  him  had  carried 
them ;  and  continued  to  write  to  them  with  the  same 
affability  as  formerly.  The  more  they  endeavored  to 
thwart  him  in  his  religious  vocation,  the  more  he 
avenged  himself  by  new  demonstrations  of  love  and 
affection.  He  ceased  not  to  endeavor  to  do  away 
with  their  preventions  'against  La  Trappe,  and  their 
prejudices  against. the  kind  of  life  he  had  embraced. 
We  shall  here  insert  some  of  his  arguments,  which 
may  serve  as  a  continuation  of  the  justificatory 
sketches  that  have  been  drawn  in  a  former  chapter. 

It  is  not  rare  to  meet  with  persons  now,  as  well  as 
then,  whose  only  idea  of  Trappists  is  "  an  assemblage 
of  individuals  sadly  vegetating  in  the  shades  of  clois- 
ters, dragging  out  a  miserable  existence  at  the  will  of 
a  deplorable  fatality."  This  so  ridiculous  and  so 
erroneous  notion  of  the  religious  life  can  proceed  from 
nothing  else  than  from  ignorance,  either  real  or  af- 
fected, of  the  real  state  of  things  in  that  condition  of 
life. 

And,  in  fact,  the  congregation  of  La  Trappe  realizes 
within  itself  all  those  fine  chimeras  that  our  political 
systematisers  so  long  have  dreamed  of,  and  the  reali- 
22* 


258  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRATM. 

zation  of  which  they  have  never  been  able  to  find 
out.  It  is  a  finished  form  of  government,  and  is 
essentially  monarchical ;  in  it,  the  -will  of  every  one, 
as  well  as  his  heart,  is  concentrated  in  the  will  of  one, 
namely,  of  the  Superior.  The  latter  has  this  title 
only  on  account  of  his  being  the  first  in  penance,  the 
fiirst  at  the  divine  office,  the  first  at  all  exercises,  and 
the  model  of  all  his  brethren ;  he  has,  however,  an 
absolute  authority  over  all  the  members  of  the  com- 
munity, but  this  power  is  never  exercised  despotically : 
it  is  rather  an  authority  purely  paternal,  which  is 
exercised  with  all  the  charity  that  the  rules  of  the 
most  tender  love  prescribe ;  nor  is  it  arbitrary,  since 
it  is  regulated  and  limited  by  the  most  wise  constitu- 
tions. A  code  of  laws  determines  and  fixes  all  the 
duties  of  it ;  namely,  the  rule  of  the  blessed  patriarch 
Benedict,  which  is  literally  and  in  all  its  tenor  ob- 
served by  the  congregation.  As  all  laws,  more  or 
less,  need  interpretation,  so  this  rule  is  interpreted  by 
a  commentary  now  consisting  of  thirteen  hundred  and 
ten  articles ;  and  these  same  comments  are  examined, 
corrected  and  augmented  every  year,  by  competent 
authority;  that  is,  by  the  general  chapter,  which  is 
annually  held,  and  at  which  all  the  abbots,  and  the 
subordinate  superiors  of  each  congregation,  are  obliged 
to  be  present.  Although  the  abbot  governs  his  own 
abbey  according  to  his  own  pleasure,  he  is  yet  ac- 
countable for  his  administration  to  the  general  supe- 
riors of  the  whole  order,  and  it  is  at  the  general 
chapter,  more  especially,  that  his  administration  is 
examined,  and  inquired  into.  Besides,  the  most 
Reverend  Vicar-General  visits  every  year  each  house 


LIFE   OF   FATnEll    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  259 

of  the  order,  and  after  having  examined  everything 
\siih  the  greatest  solicitude,  he  then  has  a  private 
conversation  with  each  individual  religious,  hears  the 
remarks  of  each  one,  his  observations  on  the  govern- 
ment of  the  house,  his  complaints,  if  he  has  any  to 
make ;  and  takes  notes  of  everything,  which  he  after- 
wards uses  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  congregation. 

In  the  community,  there  is  a  great  number  of 
officers,  whose  especial  duty  it  is  to  make  known  and 
cause  to  be  executed  the  will  of  the  abbot,  whose 
administration,  bearing  as  it  does  the  stamp  of  divine 
direction,  would  seem  to  have  its  source  in  divine  in- 
spiration ;  so  great  is  the  regularity  and  fervor  main- 
tained by  it,  and  so  much  is  it  always  attended  by 
peace  and  happiness.  The  diiferent  officers  do  not 
remain  for  any  length  of  time  in  the  same  office ;  on 
the  contrary,  they  are  frequently  changed,  and  by 
this  means  a  remedy  is  applied  against  the  natural 
attachment  to  a  particular  business  that  habit  begets 
in  the  human  mind;  and  which,  if  suffered  to  grow, 
would  be  injurious  to  that  spirit  of  disinterestedness 
and  self-abnegation  so  essential  to  the  religious  state. 
Each  one  thus,  at  one  time  in  an  inferior  capacity,  at 
another  time  in  a  superior  one,  now  giving  orders, 
and  by  and  by  receiving  orders  from  others,  passes 
throudi  the  various  offices  of  the  order,  and  finds  oc- 
casion  to  practise  the  suitable  virtues. 

Whilst  in  church,  the  Trappists  may  be  compared 
to  a  numerous  choir  of  canons  ;  they  celebrate  all  the 
offices,  and  go  through,  without  interruption,  all  the 
ceremonies  that  are  usually  practised   in  cathedral 


2C0  LIFE   OF   FATUEIl   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

churches,  and  this,  too,  with  all  the  attendant  pomp 
and  solemnity.  Scarcely,  however,  have  these  canons 
of  the  desert  quitted  their  stalls,  than  they  are  trans- 
formed into  diligent  mechanics,  or  into  laborious  cul- 
tivators of  the  soil,  and  each  one,  according  to  the 
gift  he  has  received  from  nature,  or  according  as  he 
is  directed  by  obedience,  goes  to  earn  his  bread  by 
the  sweat  of  his  brow.  Justly  then  did  Brother  Maria 
Ephraim  answer  the  taunts  of  some  of  his  friends,  who 
thought  fit  to  designate  the  Trappists  by  the  name  of 
"  idle  drones,"  when  he  replied,  "  Let  those  who  thus 
designate  us,  only  come  and  submit  themselves  to  our 
kind  of  life  during  eight  days  only, — I  ask  for  no 
longer  time, — and  then  they  can  judge  whether  the 
life  we  lead  is  idle  and  dronish." 

Let  it  not  be  supposed  that  a  man,  however  enlight- 
ened and  instructed  he  may  be,  is  degraded  because 
he  puts  his  hands  to  servile  employments.  The  noble 
pride  of  ancient  Rome  was  never  offended  because  her 
most  illustrious  senators  cultivated  their  own  fields 
with  the  same  hands  they  had  held  the  reins  of  govern- 
ment. If  this  had  been  accounted  a  degradation,  the 
names  of  those  famous  dictators,  whom  they  sought 
for  at  the  plough,  in  order  to  obtain  their  assistance 
for  the  safety  of  the  republic,  would  never  have  been 
handed  down  to  posterity.  But  the  worldly-minded 
cannot  understand  this  noble  conduct  of  the  Trap- 
pist.  "  How  I  pity  that  poor  young  man,"  he  will 
exclaim,  upon  viewing  the  laborious  life  and  peniten- 
tial deportment  of  the  Trappist,  "how  I  pity  him! 
What  can  have  ever  induced  him  to  embrace  such  a 
mode  of  life !"     But  the  Trappist  will  answer  him : 


LIFE    OP   FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM.  2G1 

"  Worldlj-minded  man !  you  can  understand  neither 
me,  nor  my  motives;  and  I  pity  you  with  all  my 
soul,  for  you  are  really  a  greater  object  of  pity  than 
I  appear  to  be; — but  let  us  discuss  the  matter  calmly, 
and  perhaps  you  may  be  convinced  of  the  truth  of  my 
assertion."  The  Trappist  will  then  perhaps  continue, 
as  follows : 

"  I  have  come  to  this  desert  to  study  true  wisdom, 
and  to  seek  that  happiness  I  was  unable  to  find  in 
the  world.  For  this,  I  have  embraced  a  manner  of 
life  somewhat  painful  to  nature,  I  grant,  especially  at 
the  commencement,  but  I  have,  after  a  very  short 
time,  found  consolations  therein,  that  I  would  not 
now  exchange  for  all  the  pleasures  of  the  world.  My 
occupation  is  to  make  my  body  subject  to  my  spirit, 
to  remodel  my  heart,  and  to  permit  that  none  but 
holy  and  lawful  affections  should  have  a  place  therein  ; 
and  the  holy  exercises  of  La  Trappe  are  the  most 
powerful  means  for  obtaining  such  results.  The  reli- 
gious of  La  Trappe  are  in  the  school  of  Paradise, 
wherein  they  are  instructed  in  the  virtues  essential  to 
the  inhabitants  of  Heaven ;  and  although  we  have  no 
certain  revelation  concerning  the  occupations  of  the 
Blessed,  vet  we  endeavor  to  accustom  ourselves  to 
the  practice  of  such  things  as  may  be  reasonably 
supposed  to  be  continually  practised  by  them.  The 
life  of  the  saints  in  heaven  is  purely  intellectual, 
purely  spiritual ;  the  Trappists  in  their  monasteries 
wase  a  continual  war  with  all  sensualities,  and  en- 
deavor  to  spiritualize  all  their  woi'ks.  The  saints  in 
heaven  are  continually  singing  the  praises  of  the 
Most-High,  and  the  chief  occupation  of  the  Trappists 


262  LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

is  to  imitate  them,  regulating  themselves  as  to  the 
time  bj  the  Royal  Prophet  that  rose  by  night  to 
fulfil  his  duty  towards  his  Creator,  and  gave  praises 
to  him  also  seven  times  during  the  day.  In  fine,  the 
glorious  inhabitants  of  Heaven  are  all  absorbed  in 
God,  and  think  no  more  of  earthly  things;  the 
monks,  in  the  same  manner,  live  separated  from 
the  world,  and  purify  themselves  every  day  from 
the  attachment  which  they  may  have  had  for  its 
creatures. 

We  have  already  spoken  of  the  constitutions  by 
which  monasteries  are  governed,  and  as  every  body  of 
laws  has  its  penal  code,  that  of  La  Trappe  has  its  penal 
code  also.  The  world,  in  its  peculiar  manner  of  judg- 
ing things,  and  more  especially  of  judging  things  it 
cannot  understand,  would  probably  find  it  trifling  and 
ridiculous ;  but  the  prudent  and  sensible  man  will  be  of  a 
different  opinion,  for  he  will  be  forced  to  admire  it,  when 
he  finds  it  so  well  adapted  to  the  end  in  view ;  namely, 
the  mortification  of  self-love,  and  the  establishing  in  its 
place  of  the  opposite  virtue.  According  to  it,  it  is  not 
always  necessary  to  be  theologically  culpable ;  it  suffi- 
ces to  appear  so,  to  incur  punishment.  An  accident, 
an  error,  even  an  inadvertence,  does  not  go  unpun- 
ished, because  such  things  always  imply  excess  or 
nef^Hsence.  For  this  reason,  whenever  a  brother 
hurts  or  wounds  himself  at  labor,  an  article  of  the 
penal  code  obliges  him  to  be  his  own  accuser,  to  show 
his  wound  and  receive  penance.  Penances  of  this 
kind  tend  to  establish  in  the  soul  the  domination 
of  that  admirable  and  holy  humility  which  is  the 
essential  basis  of  the  whole  spiritual  edifice.     They 


LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  2C3 

consist  principally  in  humble  prostrations  before  the 
whole  community;  in  praying  for  a  stated  time  with 
extended  arms,  as  if  asking  forgiveness;  in  Icissing 
the  feet  of  the  brothers,  and  begging  from  each  one 
in  the  refectory  a  portion  of  bread,  or  a  spoonful 
of  soup,  with  which  to  satisfy  the  calls  of  nature. 
Penalties  of  this  kind  are  by  no  means  onerous,  and 
as  it  is  the  law  of  love  and  charity  that  imposes  them, 
they  are  accordingly  performed  with  the  greatest  will- 
ingness. The  good  religious  finds  his  advantage  and 
happiness  in  this  sort  of  humiliations ;  he  even  some- 
times feels  the  need  of  them,  and  consequently  is 
solicitous  that  they  be  imposed  upon  him  as  frequently 
as  possible. 

But  the  most  severe  penalty  is  the  one  enacted 
against  the  infringement  of  silence ;  simple  humi- 
liation is  not  sufficient  in  this  case ;  the  law  requires 
exemplary  chastisement,  and  this  apparent  rigor  is 
an  evidence  of  its  wise  provisions.  Who  can  be  igno- 
rant of  the  beneficial  effects  accruing  from  the  strict 
observance  of  this  virtue  ? — for  virtue  it  is  I  What 
a  certain  safeguard  it  aiFords  in  a  large  community, 
against  the  hatreds,  enmities,  and  divisions  so  pre- 
valent in  society !  We  have  already  spoken  of  the 
cordial  charity  reigning  in  the  monasteries  of  La 
Trappe ;  but  how  would  it  be  possible  to  maintain  so 
essential  a  principle,  if  each  individual  were  at  liberty 
to  express  his  own  sentiments,  to  give  his  advice,  to 
communicate  his  ideas  !  What  confusion,  and  what 
disorder  would  there  be  in  a  short  time  ! — whereas  it  is 
a  received  truth,  that ''  there  are  as  many  different  man- 
ners of  thinking  as  there  arc  persons   that  think." 


264  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

How  many  words,  innocent  perhaps  in  the  intention 
of  him  who  utters  them,  are  badly  taken  and  badly 
interpreted  by  one  who  feels,  or  believes  himself 
offended  by  them ;  and  of  how  great  disturbance  are 
not  such  words  frequently  the  cause !  Besides,  the 
practice  of  silence,  which  would  be  painful  and  im- 
practicable in  the  world,  is  by  no  means  so  at  La 
Trappe.  In  this  world,  everything  is  relative,  or  as 
circumstances  make  it,  and  that  which  would  be  in- 
tolerable in  any  other  condition  of  life,  appears  sweet 
and  pleasing  to  the  religious,  to  whom  contemplation 
becomes  soon  a  necessity ;  like  his  brothers  who  give 
him  the  example,  he  soon  prefers  to  make  his  happi- 
ness consist  in  conversing  with  God  and  His  saints, 
rather  than  in  losing  his  time  in  idle  conversation. 

The  precept  of  silence  is  not,  however,  so  absolute 
that  it  cannot  in  certain  cases  be  dispensed  with. 
The  Superior,  and  those  employed  in  the  necessary 
business  of  the  monastery,  are  not  obliged  to  observe 
it,  and  any  pressing  necessity  is  in  itself  sufficient  to 
dispense  all  from  it.  There  is,  besides,  a  small  dic- 
tionary of  conventional  signs,  by  the  aid  of  which 
the  religious  can,  without  speaking,  understand  one 
another,  and  communicate  their  ideas,  whenever  there 
is  occasion. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  FEMALE  COrSIN  OF  BROTHER  EPHRAIM  ENTERS  THE  CONVENT  OF  LA 
TRAPPE.  A  SHORT  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  FEMALE  TRAPPISTS  OF  LTONS  AND 
HAUBEC. 

The  example  of  Brother  Ephraim  had  developed  in 
the  heart  of  one  of  his  female  cousins  the  seeds  of 
a  vocation  to  a  religious  life  that  had  long  been  dor- 
mant. Indeed,  the  existence  of  M'lle  Eliza — she  was 
so  named — had  been  bound  up  with  that  of  her 
cousins.  She  had  passed  in  their  society  the  greater 
part  of  the  years  of  childhood,  and  had  been  con- 
stantly united  to  them  by  friendship  and  reciprocal 
esteem.  Our  Brother  Ephraim  was  the  first  to 
advance  on  the  path  of  religious  heroism,  to  be  fol- 
lowed soon  after  by  his  sister  and  cousin.  The  lat- 
ter first  followed  his  example,  by  becoming  a  sister  in 
the  austere  order  of  the  female  Trappists.  As  soon 
as  he  became  aware  of  her  determination,  he  wrote  to 
her  as  follows,  in  order  to  bid  her  "  God  speed,"  and 
encourage  her  in  her  undertaking.  "  The  divine  good- 
ness has  done  you,  my  dear  cousin,  a  great  favor  in 
calling  you  to  the  happy  state,  that  it  has  pleased 
Him  to  call  me  also,  though  unworthy  of  such  a  bless- 
ing. You  cannot  fully  appreciate  the  amount  of 
the  happiness  in  store  for  you,  until  you  are  initiated 
into  the  secret  of  the  holy  pleasures  and  enjoyments 
hidden  under  the  rough  and  penitential  life  of  the 
cloister.  Envy  not  the  lot  of  your  other  cousins — 
(meaning  some  of  them  about  to  enter  into  the  state 
23  (265) 


266  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

of  Marriage) — for  you  also,  as  well  as  they,  will  wear 
a  crown,  and  be  clothed  in  white ;  with  this  difference, 
that  they  must  lay  down  their  crowns  the  day  after 
their  nuptials,  whilst  you  shall  retain  yours  until  your 
heavenly  spouse  substitute  a  crown  of  immortality  in 
its  place.  They  must  quit  their  white  robes  almost 
immediately,  whilst  you,  on  the  contrary,  will  per- 
ceive your  robes  becoming  more  splendid  every  day, 
until,  admitted  at  last  to  the  company  of  the  faithful 
virgins,  you  enter  into  the  marriage-feast  of  the  Lamb 
without  blemish." 

There  are  in  France  divers  communities  of  Trappist 
nuns  living  under  the  jurisdiction  of  that  bishop  in 
whose  diocese  their  convent  is  located,  and  having  for 
spiritual  directors  one  or  more  priests  of  the  Congre- 
gation belonging  to  the  nearest  Cistercian  monastery. 
This  sisterhood  follow  the  rule  of  Saint  Benedict,  and 
their  constitutions  are  nearly  the  same  as  those  of  the 
Trappists.  There  are  two  such  communities  in  the 
vicinity  of  Aiguebelle  ;  one  of  them  in  the  suburbs  of 
the  city  of  Lyons,  and  the  other  at  Maubec,  midway 
between  Montelimart  and  Aiguebelle.  At  the  time 
that  the  revolutionary  storm  was  raging  in  France, 
and  destroying  by  its  malign  influence  the  fine  insti- 
tutions that  had  so  long  added  splendor  to  the  Gal- 
lican  Church,  the  members  of  the  various  religious 
communities  were  obliged  to  seek  in  foreign  lands 
safety  from  the  oppressive  tyranny  of  the  sanguinary 
enemies  to  law,  order,  and  Christianity.  Divine  Pro- 
vidence never  loses  sight  of  those  who  are  faithful  to 
the  end  !  The  Reverend  Father  Augustin,  known  in 
the  world   by   the  name   of  M.  de  Lestrange,   had 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  267 

establishctl,  a  short  time  after  the  first  French  revo- 
lution, the  venerable  brothers  of  La  Trappe,  at  a  place 
in  Switzerland  called  Val-Sainte ;  and  had  thus  pro- 
videntially prepared  a  place  of  refuge  for  a  number  of 
holy  virgins,  who  were  driven  from  their  different  nun- 
neries on  the  French  soil.  He  afterwards  purchased 
for  their  accommodation  a  house  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Saint  Maurice,  in  the  Swiss  canton  of  Valais.  The 
poor  exiles  flocked  to  it  in  great  numbers,  desirous  of 
recovering  the  peace  of  the  cloister,  and  indifferent  to 
•what  rule  they  should  be  obliged  to  conform,  provided 
that  it  enabled  them  to  remain  faithful  to  their  mon- 
astic vows.  Among  this  assemblage  of  pious  virgins 
may  be  found  many  ladies  of  exalted  rank  and  great 
riches,  who  had  left  everything  to  dedicate  themselves 
to  the  service  of  God.  They  rivalled  one  another 
in  courage  and  zeal  to  resume  their  former  life  of 
penance  and  prayer,  and  nothing  tending  to  call  down 
the  divine  mercy  upon  the  miserable  condition  of  ill- 
fated  France,  appeared  too  difficult  to  be  undertaken. 
The  abbot,  Father  Augustin,  proposed  for  their  accept- 
ance the  Cistercian  reform  that  had  been  already  in- 
troduced among  the  religious  of  Val-Sainte,  after 
modifying  it  to  the  necessary  wants  of  their  sex ;  but 
the  good  sisters,  far  from  finding  this  manner  of 
life  too  austere,  were  desirous  of  adding  other  austeri- 
ties which  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  prohibit  the 
practice  of.     This  occurred  in  179G. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  destructive  principles  that 
had  been  so  fatally  developed  in  France,  began  by 
degrees  to  infest  the  neighboring  nations,  and  neces- 
sarily brought  with  them  the  same  epidemic  of  destruc- 


268  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

tion  and  scandal.    The  members  of  Father  Augustln's 
establishments  were  obliged  to  abandon  the  Swiss  terri- 
tory, and  beg  an  asylum  elsewhere.    It  is  not  our  inten- 
tion to  follow  them  in  their  diiferent  emigrations ;  others 
have  done  it,  and  thereby  made  it  a  matter  of  history. 
We  cannot,  however,  help  ourselves  from  admiring  this 
double  colony,  of  whom  the  world  was  not  worthy, 
destitute  and  in  want,  travelling  sometimes  by  land, 
either  on  foot  or  in  miserable  conveyances,  sometimes 
by  sea,  and  oftentimes  not  knowing  where  they  would 
be  permitted  to  cast  anchor,  and  yet  living  as  if  they 
were  in  their  monasteries,  observing  the  same  strict- 
ness of  religious  observance,  and  the  same  ceremonials 
in  the  performance  of  the  divine  offices.     As  the  bark 
of  Peter,  tossed  about  by  the  waves,  beaten  by  con- 
trary winds,  the  sport  of  furious  hurricanes,  and  re- 
pelled  from   every  landing  place,   yet  reposes   con- 
stantly upon  the  protection  of  Him  whom  the  winds 
and  tempests  obey,  without  ever  once  fearing  that  the 
gates  of  hell  shall  prevail  against  it,  so  also  the  colony 
of  Father  Augustin,  strong  in  the  protection  of  the 
Most  High,  passes  through  every  danger  of  land  and 
sea,  and  saves  from  final  destruction  the  precious  rem- 
nants of  monastic  discipline. 

At  last,  it  was  the  will  of  God  that  calm  days 
should  again  be  experienced  on  the  beautiful  soil  of 
France.  Religious  institutions  were  no  longer  pro- 
hibited, and  the  Trappists  again  made  their  appear- 
ance. The  nuns  of  the  same  order  soon  followed, 
eager  to  return  to  their  former  mode  of  living. 
Father  De  Lestrange  distributed  them  among  the  dif- 
ferent communities  he  had  established  in  the  north  of 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  269 

France.  In  1817,  a  Trappist  nunnery  was  established 
at  Lyons,  the  chief  city  of  the  Department  of  the 
Rhone.  The  Reverend  Mother  Maria  du  Saint- 
Esprit  was  at  the  head  of  the  establishment,  which  was 
composed  of  eleven  sisters.  We  have  been  permitted 
to  look  over  the  registry  of  the  convent,  and  we  find 
in  it  a  memorandum  made  of  the  piety,  the  excellent 
disposition,  and  generosity  of  the  inhabitants  of  Lyons. 
We  think  it  worth  while  to  reproduce  it  here,  as  it 
may  serve  as  a  proof,  that  cloisters  are  not  insuscep- 
tible of  sentiments  of  gratitude.     It  is  as  follows  : 

"  Our  Reverend  Mother  (Maria   du   Saint-Esprit) 
arrived  at  Lyons  on  the  13th  May,  1817,  accompa- 
nied by  eleven  sisters.     She  was  received  by  the  in- 
habitants with  every  demonstration  of  respect  and  of 
the  most  affectionate  cordiality.     All  the  population 
of  Lyons  testified  their  satisfaction  at  having  a  con- 
vent of  our  order,  and  rivalled  one  another  in  render- 
ing  us  every  charitable   assistance.      The   morning 
after    our   arrival,   the    Reverend    Father  Augustiu 
came  to  visit  us ;  he  expressed  his  joy  at  having  had 
it  in  his  power  to  call  us  to  this  religious  and  hospit- 
able city,  he  himself  having  been  a  witness  of  the 
sentiments  of  respect,  not  unmixed  with  veneration, 
•with  which  our  respectable  mother  superior  had  in- 
spired all  the  inhabitants.     We  first  established  our- 
selves in  a  rented  house  of  the  suburbs  of  the  city. 
Providence    afterwards    blessing   our    endeavors,   we 
have  been  able,  with  the  assistance  of  the  generous 
people  of  Lyons,  to  purchase  a  spot  of  land  and  build 
a  monastery,  in  which,  sheltered  from  the  tumult  and 
bustle  of  the  world,  we  have  the  power  of  following 
23* 


270  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

in  peace  our  holy  exercises,  and  delivering  ourselves 
up  without  hindrance  to  the  cares  of  our  salvation. 

Deeming  it  necessary  not  to  omit  the  recital  of  the 
honorable  reception  we  have  received  from  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Lyons,  it  has  been  resolved  to  consign  it  to 
the  official  registry  of  our  monastery,  in  order  to  per- 
petuate the  memory  of  it  in  our  community,  and  that 
the  sisters  who  shall  inhabit  this  place  after  us,  may 
be  aware  of  the  piety,  charity  and  good  feelings  of 
the  good  people  of  the  city." 

The  monastery  was  built  in  a  suburb  of  Lyons, 
called  "  Vaise,"  and  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of 
God  under  the  name  of  Our  Lady  of  All  Consolation. 
The  nuns  took  possession  of  it  on  the  18th  of  May, 
1820,  under  the  spiritual  guidance  of  the  Reverend 
Father  Augustin,  and  under  the  immediate  direction 
of  the  Reverend  Mother  Theresa,  who  was  elected 
Prioress.  This  establishment  continued  to  prosper 
until  the  revolution  of  1880,  by  which  the  city  of 
Lyons,  in  common  with  the  rest  of  France,  was  again 
thrown  into  a  state  of  anarchy  and  confusion.  The 
poor  Trappist  sisters  had  their  own  share  of  the 
general  consternation  caused  by  that  event,  and, 
although  buried  in  the  solitude  of  the  cloister,  they 
were  as  much  troubled  as  if  they  were  taking  an 
active  part  in  the  aifairs  of  the  world. 

About  this  period,  there  happened  to  be  exposed 
for  sale  a  ffirm  in  the  environs  of  Montelimart,  in  the 
department  of  La  Drome,  which  was  said  to  be  well- 
adapted  for  a  religious  establishment.  The  Reverend 
Mother  Victima,  at  that  time  Prioress  of  the  nunnery 
at  Lyons,  went  to  see  it,  and  was  immediately  struck 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  271 

with  its  suitableness,  so  that  it  was  at  once  resolved 
to  sell  the  monastic  property  at  Lyons,  and  to  trans- 
fer the  whole  community  to  Maubec ;  the  name  by 
which  the  new  purchase  was  known.  But  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Lyons,  who  had  hailed  with  so  much  joy  the 
arrival  of  the  nuns,  and  had  been  so  long  accustomed 
to  see  among  them  persons  given  up  to  prayer  and 
mortification,  could  not  patiently  suffer  the  departure 
of  a  community  to  which  they  acknowledged  them- 
selves so  much  indebted  for  many  blessings.  Repre- 
sentations were  made  to  the  general  superiors  of  the 
order,  and  other  methods  were  made  use  of,  until  it 
was  at  last  decided  that  only  a  limited  number  of  the 
sisters  should  remove  to  the  new  establishment  at 
Maubec,  whilst  the  greater  part  should  still  continue 
at  Lyons.  The  Mother  Victima,  accordingly,  with  a 
few  sisters,  removed  to  the  new  establishment,  whilst 
the  Reverend  Mother  Pacifica  was  elected  Prioress  of 
the  convent  of  Lyons,  in  her  place. 

It  would  take  up  too  much  time  and  space  to  enter 
into  a  circumstantial  account  of  these  two  monasteries. 
We  cannot,  however,  forbear  remarking  upon  the 
powerful  influence  of  religion,  which  can  make  that 
sex,  the  chief  characteristic  of  which  is  delicacy,  so 
tolerant  of  fatigue  and  austerities.  To  how  great  a 
number  of  would-be  philosophers  could  not  these 
penitential  sisters  give  noble  lessons  of  strength  of 
character  and  greatness  of  soul !  It  is  well  known 
that  they  observe  the  fasts,  support  the  long  hours  of 
nightly  attendance  in  choir,  chaunt  the  divine  office 
in  the  same  manner  as  their  co-religious  of  the  other 
sex ;  and  they  also  perform  all  the  laborious  duties  of 


272  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

cultivating  the  soil,  together  with  the  other  services 
of  the  monastery.  But  what  will  be  acknowledged 
more  painful  still,  if  we  judge  from  those  of  their  sex 
living  in  the  world,  is,  that  they  observe  a  rigorous 
sile7iee.  On  this  subject,  we  may  perhaps  be  permitted 
to  relate  an  anecdote  in  point.  At  a  certain  assem- 
blage, great  praise  was  given  to  the  Reverend  Father 
Augustin,  on  account  of  his  exemplary  life,  and  his 
being  the  true  restorer  of  the  monasteries  of  the  Cis- 
tercian order.  Some  one  present  asked,  "  Has  he  ever 
wrought  any  miracles  ?"  "  Yes,"  replied  another  ; 
"/or  if  he  has  not  really  given  speech  to  the  dumb,  he 
has  at  least  had  the  power  of  mahing  women  and 
assemblages  of  women  hold  their  tongues  ;'^  thus  al- 
luding to  the  monasteries  of  the  nuns  of  La  Trappe. 
The  proximity  of  Aiguebelle  had  at  first  made 
M'lle  Alday  desire  to  enter  the  nunnery  of  Maubec, 
in  order  to  be  in  reach  of  her  cousin,  Brother  Maria 
Ephraim.  The  latter  desired  it  also,  and  had  made 
overtures  on  that  subject  to  the  Reverend  Mother 
Superior.  The  greatest  diflficulty  consisted  in  the 
want  of  room  for  the  reception  of  novices,  as  the 
monastery  was  not  built  at  that  time^  and  the  number 
of  sisters  was  already  too  large.  He,  however,  ob- 
tained the  admission  of  his  cousin.  Madame  Alday 
arrived  soon  after,  accompanied  by  her  two  daughters, 
on  a  visit  to  her  nephew  at  Aiguebelle.  Brother 
Ephraim  laid  open  to  his  aunt  the  difficulty  of  being 
received  at  Maubec,  and  the  reasons  thereof;  adding, 
at  the  same  time,  that  he  had  obtained  the  admission 
of  his  cousin  through  special  favor.  But  here  arose 
other  difficulties ;  for  though  M'lle  Eliza  was  the  only 


LIFE  OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  273 

one  that  offered  at  present,  she  expected  to  be  soon 
followed  by  many  of  her  friends,  and  especially  by 
her  own  sister,  and  they  desired  to  live  in  the  same 
monastery.  The  idea  of  becoming  nuns  in  separate 
nunneries  appeared  to  the  sisters  insupportable ;  and 
this  would  probably  be  the  case,  if  one  of  them  became 
a  resident  at  Maubec,  whilst  the  monastery  was  in  its 
present  crowded  condition.  Upon  these  considera- 
tions, and  perhaps  through  the  inherent  curiosity  of 
women,  they  resolved  to  visit  the  nunnery  of  Lyons 
also.  This  house,  in  itself  spacious,  was  not  then 
overcrowded,  and  the  young  aspirant  was  received 
almost  immediately.  With  her  mother's  consent,  she 
took  the  religious  habit,  under  the  name  of  Sister 
Louisa ;  made  a  solemn  profession  the  year  after, 
and  is  now  (1844)  Mistress  of  Novices  in  the  above- 
mentioned  nunnery. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

BEOTHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM  MAKES  HIS  VOWS.      RELIGIOUS  PROFESSION  IS 
A    SECOND    BAPTISM.      THE    TOWS    OF   TRAPPISTS  ARE  SOLEMN  VOWS. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  year  of  Brother  Maria 
Ephraim's  probation  was  now  drawing  to  an  end. 
His  regularity,  fervor  and  devotion  were  conspicuous, 
so  that  at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  he  was  admitted 
without  opposition  to  pronounce  his  vows.  This 
ceremony,  in  itself  so  interesting,  was  on  the  present 
occasion  rendered  still  more  so,  by  the  touching  cir- 
cumstance of  seven  others  of  his  fellow-novices  pro- 
nouncing their  vows  on  the  same  day ;  four  of  which 
were  choir-religious,  and  the  remaining  three,  lay- 
brothers.  Among  the  former  was  to  be  found  that 
worthy  young  gentleman  of  Toulouse,  who  arrived  at 
the  monastery  whilst  Brother  Ephraim  was  yet  unde- 
cided in  his  religious  calling,  and  whose  vocation,  as 
extraordinary  as  his  own,  but  more  matured,  had 
aiforded  him  so  much  satisfaction,  and  given  him  the 
example  of  so  much  courage. 

This  was  the  happiest  day  of  Brother  Ephraim's 
life.  Long  since,  but  more  especially  since  his  arrival 
at  Aiguebellc,  had  he  deplored  his  former  manner  of 
living ;  he  incessantly  reproached  himself  for  having 
spent  so  many  years  a  stranger  to  God,  estranged 
from  the  practices  of  religion,  and  wholly  given  up  to 
the  dissipations  of  youth.  What  follies,  wrote  he  in 
his  letters,  have  I  not  been  guilty  of  at  those  unhappy 
(274) 


LIFE  OP  FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  275 

times  !  What  cares  and  what  vain  solicitude  have  I 
not  undergone,  in  order  to  gratify  the  sensual  passions, 
and  to  sacrifice  at  the  shrine  of  impure  pleasures ! 
How  thankful  ought  I  be  to  the  great  Giver  of  all 
Good,  for  having  at  length  opened  the  eyes  of  my 
soul,  and  made  me  see  the  nothingness  of  such  pur- 
suits !  And  it  was  as  much  to  testify  to  Him  his 
gratitude,  as  to  expiate  his  faults,  that  he  sighed  for 
the  moment  when  he  would  have  it  in  his  power  to 
offer  himself  as  a  victim  of  expiation,  and  to  devote 
himself  to  His  service.  In  return,  he  received  from 
God  an  increase  of  that  peace  which  passeth  all  un- 
derstanding, and  which  is  never  denied  to  men  of  good 
will.     Pax  Iwminihus  honae  voluntatis. 

We  shall  not  be  surprised  at  the  holy  joy  of  Brother 
Ephraim,  and  of  all  those  having  the  privilege  of 
making  a  solemn  profession,  if  we  consider  with  at- 
tention the  great  advantages  derived  from  it.  One 
of  the  most  precious  of  these  advantages  is,  that  the 
consecration  to  God  in  a  solemn  profession,  by  the 
emission  of  the  three  vows  of  religion,  namely,  poverty, 
chastity,  and  obedience,  is  in  itself  a  second  baptism, 
and  produces  the  same  effects  as  martyrdom ;  so  that 
a  religious  who  has  the  happiness  of  pronouncing  his 
vows,  receives  by  that  very  act  full  and  entire  re- 
mission of  all  sins  committed  prior  to  that  period,  or, 
in  other  words,  the  Trappist  who  dies  immediately 
after  his  profession,  goes  immediately  to  heaven,  with- 
out undergoing  any  purgatorial  cleansing. 

What  we  have  just  now  advanced  is  not,  to  be  sure, 
an  article  of  faith,  since  nothing  has  been  definitely 
resolved  upon  that  subject,  nor  has  it  over  been  a 


276  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

question  before  any  general  council ;  but  how  many 
similar  truths  may  be  found,  upon  which  the  Church 
has  been  silent,  and  which,  nevertheless,  are  most 
worthy  of  belief!  We  do  not  hesitate  to  pronounce 
the  foregoing  as  one  of  those  truths,  and  the  reader 
will  be,  we  are  confident,  of  the  same  opinion,  after 
having  duly  weighed  the  sentiments  of  the  Fathers  of 
the  Church  upon  this  subject.  It  would  take  us  too 
long  to  cite  all  the  authorities,  and  shall  therefore 
content  ourselves  with  citing  a  few  only. 

We  read  in  the  great  Saint  Thomas :  "  It  may  be 
said  with  reason,  that  a  remission  of  all  sins  is  ob- 
tained by  entering  into  a  religious  order."  '■'■  Ration- 
aliter  did  potest  quod  per  ingressum  religionis  ali- 
quis  consequatur  remissionem  omnium  peecatorum.'^ 
On  this  subject,  he  cites  the  very  words  of  othex 
Fathers,  holding  the  same  opinion,  and  concludes  by 
saying  "  that  those  who  enter  a  religious  society,  re- 
ceive the  same  grace  as  those  who  are  just  baptised." 
"  Quod  eamdem  gratiam  consequuntur  intrantes  reli- 
gionem,  quam  consequuntur  haptisati^ 

If  it  be  the  effect  of  good  works,  says  Saint  Jerome, 
to  make  us  obtain  mercy  and  forgiveness,  how  power- 
ful an  agent  must  be  to  obtain  such  a  result,  the  ex- 
cellent work  of  renouncing  everything,  in  order  to 
follow  Jesus  Christ !  "  If  you  wish  to  be  perfect,"  says 
our  blessed  Saviour,  "  go,  and  sell  all  you  possess,  give 
it  to  the  poor,  and  then  follow  me,  and  you  will  have 
a  treasure  in  heaven."  Et  Jiabebis  thesaurum  in 
coelo. 

The  same  holy  Doctor,  in  his  letter  to  Saint  Paula, 
written  to  console  her  for  the  death  of  her  daughter 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM.  277 

Blesilla,  says  ;  "  If  a  sudden  or  improvided  death  had 
surprised  her  -with  the  heart  occupied  with  secular 
desires,  and  fixed  upon  the  pleasures  of  the  present 
life,  then  we  \yould  have  cause  for  deploring  her  loss, 
and  of  shedding  tears  ;  but  the  vow  she  had  just  taken 
of  consecrating  herself  to  God,  and  of  renouncing  all 
worldly  vanities,  has  been  for  her  a  second  baptism. 
...  Be  comforted,  therefore,  by  reflecting,  that  your 
daughter  has  only  quit  a  life  full  of  misery,  to  pass  to 
one  of  happiness." 

To  these  respectable  testimonies  may  be  added 
many  others.  Saint  Cyprian,  in  his  work  "  Exhor- 
tations to  Martyrdom,"  says;  "Every  Christian  that 
shall  abandon  all  he  possesses  to  follow  Jesus  Christ, 
will  find  a  place  among  the  army  of  martyrs."  "  The 
martyrdom  of  our  passions,"  says  Saint  Bernard,  "  is 
somewhat  less  horrible  than  that  of  our  bodies,  when 
they  are  given  up  to  torture,  but  the  former  is  more 
painful  than  the  latter,  on  account  of  its  duration." 
The  same  Saint  Bernard,  in  his  tract  "  De  preceptis 
et  dispensationibus,"  says :  "  The  entrance  into  re- 
ligion has  deserved  the  privilege  of  being  called  a 
second  baptism,  both  on  account  of  the  absolute  re- 
signation the  religious  makes  of  the  world,  and  of  the 
excellence  of  the  spiritual  life  he  engages  himself  to 
adhere  to."  Saint  Antoninus  and  Saint  Anselmus 
hold  the  same  doctrine,  as  well  as  Saint  Athanasius, 
who  quotes  on  this  subject  the  maxims  of  Saint  An- 
thony. Saint  Liguori  does  not  hesitate  to  afiirm,  in 
his  work  entitled  "  The  Sanctified  Nun,"  that  "The 
entrance  into  the  religious  state  is  in  itself  a  baptism 
which  does  away  with  the  punishment  as  well  as  the 
24 


278  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

sins,  and  has  the  effect  of  leaving  the  soul  as  spotless 
as  when  it  came  from  the  hands  of  its  Maker."  For 
this  reason,  it  has  been  asserted,  by  some  pious  and 
eminent  men,  that,  "  A  new  book  is  opened  in  heaven, 
to  write  down  the  actions  of  the  religious  from  the 
moment  they  had  made  a  solemn  profession  ;  and  that 
the  book  in  which  the  account  of  their  former  trans- 
gressions was  kept,  is  annihilated,  and  their  former 
sins  never  remembered." 

It  is  easy,  then,  for  whoever  believes  in  the  promises 
of  a  future  life,  to  explain  to  himself  the  reason  of  the 
joy  of  a  novice  about  to  pronounce  his  vows.  The 
sins  of  his  past  life,  or  what  he  calls  "  his  worldly 
follies,"  no  longer  alarm  him,  for  he  feels  they  are 
blotted  out  forever,  and  he  finds  in  the  shelter  of  the 
cloister,  and  in  the  exercise  of  the  virtues  peculiar  to 
his  state,  a  sure  support  against  temptation.  Happy  ! 
thrice  happy  are  they,  who  preserve  to  the  end  of 
their  mortal  career  the  inestimable  boon  of  baptismal 
innocence  granted  them  by  their  religious  profession, 
and  who  have  obtained  from  the  great  Dispenser  of 
favors  the  ineffable  one  of  perseverance  !  "  Qui  jje?'- 
severaverit  usque  ad  finem,  hie  salvus  erit." 

But  here  arises  another  question.  Do  the  vows 
made  by  the  congregation  of  La  Trappe  enjoy  the 
privileges  we  have  been  speaking  about  ?  Are  they 
solemn  vows  ?  Yes,  the  vows  of  the  Trappists  are 
solemn  vows ;  and  we  do  not  hesitate  to  maintain  their 
solemnity,  although  we  are  not  ignorant  that  some 
professors  of  theology  have  endeavored  to  establish 
the  contrary.  What  is  a  solemn  vow  ?  It  is  that 
which  is  sanctioned  by  the  authority  of  the  Church; 


LIFE   OP   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  279 

votum  solemne  illud  est  quod  ut  tale  aceeptatur  ah 
Ecdesia.  The  order  of  Trappists  is  sanctioned  by  the 
Church,  the  election  of  its  abbots  is  approved  by  the 
Sovereign  Pontiffs ;  therefore,  the  vows  of  those  pro- 
fessed in  it  must  be  solemn  vows.  The  court  of  Rome 
has  always  recognised  them  as  the  true  religious  of 
the  Cistercian  order,  and  as  the  legitimate  children 
of  Saint  Bernard,  and  of  the  celebrated  Abbe  Ranee. 
Since  1791,  (before  that  period  there  can  be  no  ques- 
tion,) when  they  were  expelled  from  their  monasteries 
in  France,  they  retired  to  Yal-Sainte,  in  Switzerland, 
and  have  never  since  ceased  to  live  in  community,  and 
to  observe  their  religious  exercises,  sometimes  in  one 
place,  sometimes  in  another.  Pius  VI.,  Pius  VII.,  and 
Leo  XII.,  Popes  of  cherished  memory,  have  addressed 
to  them  words  of  felicitation  and  encouragement, 
whilst  the  first-named  holy  Pontiff  raised  the  monastery 
of  Val-Sainte  to  the  dignity  of  an  abbey  of  the  Cis- 
tercian order.  A  letter  addressed  to  Mgr.,  the  Bishop 
of  Angers,  in  the  name  and  by  the  express  order  of 
His  Holiness  Leo  XIL,  contains  flattering  testimony 
of  the  interest  taken  by  this  great  Pope  in  the  pros- 
perity of  the  Trappists.  "  The  good  odor  of  Jesus 
Christ,"  he  says,  "  that  our  well-beloved  congregation 
of  La  Trappe  sheds  in  so  great  abundance  upon  the 
kingdom  of  France,  makes  it  our  duty  to  encourage 
them  by  every  means  in  our  power.  Religfon  itself 
would  sustain  a  severe  loss,  were  it  to  be  deprived  of 
the  splendid  example  of  piety  and  fervor  so  con- 
spicuous in  their  lives."  ^^ Bonus  odor  Qhristi  quern 
spargit  ahunde,  in  florentissimo  Galliarum  regno,  re- 
formata  familia    Trap'pensium  ordinis    Cisterciunij 


280  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

continuo  fovendus  est  flagranti  nutrimento,  ne  desint 
exempla  virtutum,  magno  religionis  detrimento." 

Another  objection  may  be  made  by  alleging  the 
impossibility  of  observing  the  vow  of  poverty  in  France 
and  in  other  countries,  where  the  secular  government 
does  not  recognise  the  validity  of  vows.  But  such  an 
objection  is  more  specious  than  solid.  It  is  of  little 
consequence  whether  a  secular  government  recognises 
or  not  the  validity  of  vows,  whereas  it  has  no  right 
to  decide  in  matters  of  ecclesiastical  discipline ;  the 
Church  alone  being  the  absolute  guide  in  that  respect. 
If  religious  vows  are  to  be  deemed  solemn  only  when 
they  are  acknowledged  as  such  by  secular  governments, 
the  vow  of  chastity  emitted  by  the  recipients  of  holy 
orders  in  countries  not  blessed  with  being  wholly 
Catholic,  would  be  invalid  also; — a  consequence  to 
which  such  logic  must  necessarily  lead. 

But,  it  is  insisted,  how  can  the  vow  of  poverty  be 
observed  under  governments  that  claim  from  their 
subjects  a  manner  of  living  diametrically  opposed  to 
it  ?  The  answer  is  easy ;  indeed,  it  can  appear  difficult 
only  to  those  persons  who  are  unwilling  to  embrace 
such  a  condition  of  life.  It  is  simply  this.  Let  the 
novice  arrange  his  temporal  concerns  before  his  pro- 
fession ;  let  him  declare  his  intentions  to  the  superior, 
"who  should  permit  to  himself  the  full  and  entire  dis- 
posal of  everything,  and  only  demanding  that  the 
voluntary  deprivation  be  absolute,  so  that  he  should 
not  have  it  in  his  power,  were  he  so  inclined,  to 
resume  the  smallest  particle  of  any  property  that 
belonged  to  him.  By  this  means,  it  is  evident  that 
the  new  professed  possesses  no  property,  and  conse- 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  281 

quently  that  all  the  deeds  which  he  may  be  afterwards 
called  upon  to  execute  in  favor  of  those  to  whom  he 
may  have  given  his  property,  must  be  considered  as 
so  many  testamentary  acts.  It -is,  therefore,  possible 
to  find  the  means  of  observing  the  vow  of  poverty, 
and  of  living  in  strict  accordance  with  it.  This 
method  has  been  long  practised  by  the  Fathers  of  the 
Society  of  Jesus  in  England,  Germany,  and  other 
countries  where  they  were  not  recognised  by  law ;  and 
that,  too,  with  the  full  knowledge  and  consent  of  the 
Church.  It  may  then  be  lawfully  concluded,  that  the 
action  of  secular  governments  does  not  annul  the 
validity  of  religious  vows,  and  that  the  vows  of  the 
Trappists,  being  considered  as  solemn  vows  by  the 
Church,  remain  so  under  whatever  government,  and 
among  whatever  people  they  are  living.  This  con- 
clusion is,  moreover,  strengthened  by  a  decree  of  the 
Sacred  Congregation  of  Bishops  and  Regulars,  bear- 
ing date  the  5th  of  September,  1834,  and  undersigned 
by  the  Prefect,  Cardinal  Odescalchi,  in  which  the  so- 
lemnity of  the  vows  of  the  Trappists  is  unanimously 
proclaimed. 
24* 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

CONCEENING   SOME   TIET0ES    OP   BROTHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

To  speak  worthily  of  the  virtues  practised  by  this 
fervent  religious,  whether  during  his  year  of  probation, 
or  after  his  solemn  profession,  it  would  be  necessary 
to  enumerate  all  the  monastic  virtues,  and  to  say  that 
he  excelled  in  each  and  every  one  of  them.  But  the 
life  of  a  monk  is  emphatically  a  life  of  privacy,  and 
the  greater  his  virtues  are  in  number,  the  greater  is 
his  care  to  keep  them  from  observation.  We  shall, 
however,  mention  a  few  peculiar  to  this  worthy  brother, 
and  which,  in  spite  of  his  modesty,  attracted  general 
observation. 

We  have  already  seen  with  what  courage  he  sup- 
ported his  first  trials ;  this  ardor  never  diminished. 
Diversity  of  employments  is,  it  is  truly  said,  the 
surest  means  of  testing  the  virtue  of  any  one,  but  in 
a  more  especial  manner  of  the  religious.  Saint 
Francis  of  Sales,  a  grand  master  of  spiritual  life,  was 
accustomed  to  say :  "  If  you  wish  to  know  the  quali- 
ties of  any  religious,  confide  to  his  care  some  particu- 
lar ofiice,  and  you  will  soon  discover  what  opinion  you 
ought  to  have  of  him."  And,  in  fact,  by  that  means 
he  will  have  relations  with  more  or  fewer  persons, 
will  be  occupied  with  the  cares  of  his  office,  and  will 
be  in  the  way  of  meeting  with  more  or  less  difficulties  ; 
his  character  will  be  seen  undisguised,  his  virtues,  if 
(282) 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  283 

he  have  any,  will  be  called  forth.  Our  Brother 
Ephraim  was  not  found  wanting  in  trials  of  this  sort. 
By  turns,  crozier-hearer,  keeper  of  the  cemetery,  aco- 
lyte, preparer  of  the  lamps,  secretary  of  the  abbot, 
librarian,  shepherd,  ....  in  all  offices,  he  showed 
himself  constantly  the  same,  and  always  a  brilliant 
example  of  regularity,  obedience,  and  charity,  of  zeal 
for  the  divine  office  and  the  service  of  the  altar,  of 
love  of  labor,  and  of  courage  to  bear  mortifications. 

Regularity  is  a  virtue  most  essential  to  form  a  good 
religious,  the  one  which  supposes  and  maintains  all 
other  virtues.  "  To  canonize  a  religious,  it  is  not 
necessary  to  inquire  whether  he  has  performeif  mira- 
cles ;  it  is  sufficient  to  know  that  he  has  exactly  ob- 
served the  rules  of  his  order."  Brother  Ephraim,  who 
had  not  abandoned  all  secular  advantages  to  make 
himself  a  religious  by  halves,  labored  to  be  most  exact 
in  the  observance  of  the  manners  and  customs  of  the 
monastery.  He  followed  to  the  letter  what  Cassianus 
relates  of  the  exactness  of  certain  solitaries,  who, 
when  summoned  to  choir  by  the  sound  of  the  bell, 
w^ould  leave  unfinished  whatever  they  were  at  that 
moment  occupied  in  doing.  There  was  not,  however, 
any  singularity  in  his  manner  of  acting,  unless,  in- 
deed, his  being  more  exact  than  the  other  brothers, 
may  be  called  by  that  name :  he  only  performed 
common  things,  things  prescribed  by  his  rule,  but  his 
manner  of  performing  them  rendered  them  uncom- 
mon. 

According  to  a  monastic  regulation,  whenever  a 
religious  enters  upon  any  office,  he  must  make  an 
exact  inventory  of  the  furniture  or  utensils  apper- 


284  LIFE    OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

taining  to  that  office,  so  as  to  render  an  exact  account 
of  them,  whenever  he  quits  it.  Brother  Ephraim 
executed  this  part  of  his  duty,  in  all  the  offices  he 
passed  through,  "vvith  the  greatest  exactness.  In  the 
closet  appropriated  to  the  keeper  of  the  lamps,  there 
are  many  httle  things  of  use  to  him  who  is  charged 
with  that  office :  he  omitted  none  of  those  things  in 
his  inventory,  and  finding  there  also  a  few  nails  des- 
tined for  some  service,  of  which  he  was  ignorant,  he 
added  at  the  end,  — and  some  nails.  This  little  cir- 
cumstance, which  will  appear  trifling  to  those  unac- 
quainted with  the  monastic  life,  must  have  due  weight 
with  those  aware  that  perfection  consists  in  fidelity  in 
small  things,  and  will  be  edified  by  it,  as  all  the 
brothers  had  been  edified,  when  it  occurred. 

This  regularity  of  Brother  Ephraim  had  its  founda- 
tion in  the  profound  humility  Avhich  led  him  to  look 
upon  himself  as  unworthy  to  be  received  in  a  religious 
community,  after  having  passed  so  much  of  his  life 
amid  worldly  pleasures.  His  obedience  towards  his 
superiors  was  unlimited;  he  regarded  the  abbot  as 
the  representative  of  God  in  the  monastery,  who  was 
specially  charged  to  transmit  His  will  to  the  other 
members  of  the  community,  and  he  showed  himself 
equally  submissive  to  the  least  desires  of  the  very 
lowest  of  his  brothers.  He  had  constantly,  not  only 
the  will,  but  also  his  thoughts  and  opinions  conform- 
able to  the  desires  of  him  that  commanded  him  on 
the  part  of  God.  He  obeyed  with  simplicity  the  lay 
brothers,  with  whom  he  was  associated  in  the  per- 
formance of  some  work  of  industry ;  that  of  minding 
sheep,  for  instance.     Oh,  how  much  the  self-love  of 


LIFE   OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  285 

M.  Ferrer,  rich  and  well-educated,  must  have  been 
mortified,  seeing  liimself,  staff  in  hand,  obliged  to  run 
through  the  mountains  in  attendance  on  flocks  of 
sheep  not  his  own  !  But  the  humble  Brother  Ephraim, 
a  Trappist,  is  happy  in  the  exercise  of  this  act  of  vir- 
tue;  persuaded  that  he  is  greater,  whilst  keeping 
sheep  through  religious  obedience,  than  if  he  actually 
held  a  royal  sceptre,  and  commanded  a  nation.  We 
are  by  this  reminded  of  a  passage  in  one  of  his  letters 
to  his  father :  "  Yesterday,"  he  writes,  "  we  had  a 
visit  of  ceremony  from  one  of  the  magistrates  of  ex- 
alted station,  who,  accompanied  by  his  secretary,  and 
other  attendants,  honored  our  monastery  with  his 
august  presence.  He  inspected  closely  every  part 
of  the  house,  and  expressed  a  wish  to  see  the  Avhole 
community  assembled  in  one  place.  We  accordingly 
assembled  in  the  large  room  used  as  a  chapter-room. 
Whilst  he  was  addressing  to  us  a  few  words,  your  son, 
the  Brother  Ephraim,  clothed  in  his  coarse  and  worn 
habit,  was  saying  in  his  own  mind  :  I  prefer  the  being 
of  what  I  am,  a  poor  despised  monk,  to  any  other 
condition  of  life;  I  would  not,  in  truth,  exchange 
places  with  that  worthy  magistrate." 

On ,  another  occasion,  one  of  the  brothers  with 
whom  he  was  at  work,  made  a  sign  to  him  to  mix  to- 
gether lime  and  sand,  in  order  to  prepare  mortar  for 
the  work  at  which  they  were  occupied.  There  was  at 
a  little  distance  an  instrument  of  iron  in  common  use 
on  such  occasions,  but  he,  not  understanding  the  sign 
made  by  his  companion,  began  to  prepare  the  mortar 
with  his  naked  hands ;  painful  and  troublesome  as  such 
an  operation  must  be.     He  feared  to  infringe  on  his 


286  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

obedience,  were  he,  without  express  permission,  to 
make  use  of  the  usual  instrument. 

Charity  and  love  towards  all  men  is  a  virtue  char- 
acteristic of  the  predestined,  and  Brother  Ephraim 
was  remarkable  from  his  infancy  for  the  love  of  his 
neighbor.  We  have  already  related,  how  desirous, 
whilst  yet  a  child,  he  was  to  assemble  around  him 
those  of  his  own  age,  and  especially,  the  poor  children 
of  the  village,  to  instruct  them  as  far  as  he  was  able, 
and  to  obtain  favors  for  them  from  his  parents. 
When  he  first  felt  himself  called  to  a  more  perfect 
state  of  life,  he  ardently  desired  to  become  a  mission- 
ary among  the  savage  inhabitants  of  the  New  World, 
to  seek  out  idolaters,  to  live  among  them  in  their 
wigwams,  and  to  endeavor,  by  the  sacrifice  of  him- 
self, to  gain  them  over  to  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 
Many  passages  of  his  letters  make  it  manifest,  that 
his  journey  to  Paris  had  for  its  chief  object  the  execu- 
tion of  this  very  plan,  and  a  desire  to  consult  the 
reverend  Fathers  of  the  society  of  Saint  Lazarus 
upon  that  subject.  The  Lord,  whilst  accepting  his 
sacrifice,  did  not  demand  that  he  should  leave  his  own 
country,  to  offer  it ;  he  gave  his  mind  another  direc- 
tion, as  has  been  seen,  and  placed  him  in  a  situation 
in  which  he  could  obtain  many  merits,  as  great  and 
as  glorious  as  those  he  had  in  contemplation.  His 
ardent  soul,  touched  with  the  love  of  God,  sighed  for 
martyrdom ;  it  burned,  according  to  his  own  spiritual 
language,  "  to  go  and  gather  one  of  those  palms  which 
his  own  country  did  not  produce." 

This  ardent  charity  accompanied  him  to  the  monas- 
tery, and  gained  there  additional  strength.     lie  felt 


LIFE   OF   FATlIEll   MARIA   EPllKAIM.  287 

towards  his  reverend  abbot  an  affection  only  to  be 
equalled  by  that  which  affectionate  children  feel  to- 
wards their  earthly  parents ;  and  he  looked  upon  the 
whole  religious  community  as  a  family  of  well-beloved 
brothers,  for  whom  he  had  a  most  lively  and  ardent 
attachment. 

We  have  spoken  elsewhere  of  a  certain  article  of 
the  Benedictine  rule,  which  makes  it  a  duty  on  the 
religious  to  mutually  proclaim  one  another's  faults  in 
public  chapter ;  a  thing  in  itself  very  much  tending 
to  the  maintenance  of  good  order  and  discipline. 
Father  Ephraim  was  not  lacking  in  this  obligation, 
but  he  chose  so  well  his  expressions,  and  put  so  much 
sweetness  and  love  in  the  tone  of  his  voice,  that  it  was 
evident  to  every  one,  that  charity  alone  was  the  cause 
of  his  speaking. 

At  manual  labor,  he  was  watchful  in  assistins:  his 
brothers.  lie  knew  how  to  take  to  himself,  without 
their  being  aware  of  it,  the  most  painful  offices,  and 
leave  the  less  difficult  ones  to  others.  lie  had  his  eye 
constantly  upon  them,  whether  to  assist  in  some  fa- 
tiguing duty,  or  to  run  to  the  help  of  those  who  were 
weighed  down  wuth  something  above  their  strength. 

There  happened  to  be  in  the  monastery  a  brother 
afflicted  with  paralysis,  but  who  was  sometimes  en- 
abled to  drag  himself  to  the  church  with  the  assistance 
of  some  of  his  co-religious.  Father  Ephraim  had 
solicited  as  a  special  favor  the  permission  of  aiding 
this  poor  brother,  and  performed  it  for  some  time  with 
such  zeal  as  God  will  surely  recompense. .  When  his 
own  health  began  to  give  way,  another  offered  to  take 
his  place,  but  Brother  Ephraim  feared  to  lose  so  pre- 


288  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

cious  an  occasion  of  exercising  his  favorite  virtue  :  he 
accordingly  signified  his  thanks  to  the  one  that  oflFered, 
and  gave  him  to  understand  that  it  was  the  will  of  the 
Reverend  Abbot,  that  he  should  still  continue  his 
assistance  to  the  poor  afflicted.  He  did  not,  however, 
lose  sight  of  the  brother  that  offered  to  supply  his 
place,  and  when  his  own  weakness  compelled  him  to 
resign  it,  he  begged  the  Superior  to  permit  that  same 
brother  to  take  it.  The  Reverend  Father  Abbot  con- 
sented, and  gave  him  a  note  to  be  given  to  him  who 
had  so  desired  the  oflSce ;  leaving  him  at  the  same 
time  in  admiration  of  the  ardent  love  and  charity  so 
conspicuous  in  all  his  actions. 

But  our  Brother  Ephraim  was  chiefly  remarkable 
for  the  zeal  he  exhibited  in  the  celebration  of  the 
divine  mysteries,  and  in  everything  appertaining  to 
the  service  of  the  altar.  Saint  Bernard,  in  his  advice 
to  his  novices  to  hasten  that  they  might  be  among  the 
first  in  the  Church  at  each  spiritual  exercise,  tells 
them  "  that  it  is  a  special  grace  to  have  the  first  share 
of  the  blessings  distributed  by  the  Lord  on  his  faithful 
servants;"  Brother  Ephraim  was  never  forgetful  of 
this  recommendation.  Scarcely  did  he  hear  the  first 
toll  of  the  bell,  summoning  the  community  to  matins, 
than  he  rose  from  his  couch,  and  hastened,  without  at 
the  same  time  losing  any  of  his  religious  deportment, 
to  be  among  the  first  in  the  sanctuary,  and  to  pros- 
trate himself  before  the  Son  of  the  Most  High ;  de- 
voting himself  anew  to  His  pleasure,  and  receiving  in 
exchange  those  sweet  and  abundant  benedictions 
which  so  powerfully  aid  in  the  fulfilment  of  the  .duties 
of  the  day.     His  voice,  at  first  weak,  soon  acquired  a 


LIFE   OF  FATHER   MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  289 

loud  pitch  by  continual  exercise,  so  that  it  at  last  was 
distinctly  heard  above  the  voices  of  others.  In  this, 
also,  he  followed  the  exhortation  of  Saint  Bernard ; 
for  he  spared  neither  his  lungs  nor  his  chest,  but 
deemed  himself  happy  in  being  able  to  offer  night  and 
day  the  sacrifice  of  praise  to  his  Creator. 

It  not  seldom  happens,  that  young  persons  not 
educated  from  infancy  for  the  clerical  state,  feel  a 
certain  repugnance  to  the  functions  of  the  church 
ceremonies.  Brother  Ephraim  was,  by  no  means,  of 
this  character.  He  was  thoroughly  conscious  that  a 
religious  is  by  his  very  condition  consecrated  to  the 
glory  of  religion,  and  to  the  service  of  the  altar.  It 
was  accordingly  one  of  his  greatest  pleasures  to  fill 
any  of  the  offices  that  drew  him  into  proximity  with 
the  Holy  of  Holies,  and  that  gave  him  the  privilege 
of  mixing  with  the  legions  of  Blessed  Spirits,  who  are 
incessantly  before  the  throne  of  the  living  God,  and 
assist  invisibly  at  the  celebration  of  our  holy  mys- 
teries. Little  differing  in  the  purity  of  his  sentiments 
from  those  holy  Intelligences,  he  filled  by  turns  the 
offices  of  Cross-bearer,  of  Acolothist,  and  of  Incense- 
bearer,  with  such  an  air  of  zeal  and  devotion,  that, 
according  to  the  words  of  the  religious  who  saw  him, 
"  no  other  one  before  or  after  him  has  been  able  to 
assume."  He  knew  that  there  were  special  graces 
attached  to  the  serving  of  Mass,  and  that  the  angels 
themselves  arc  ambitious  of  this  honor.  He  was  so 
desirous  of  it,  that  he  envied  those  whose  special  duty 
it  was,  and  would  frequently  say,  that  two  brothers 
ought  always  serve  every  mass  celebrated  in  the  mon- 
astery for  the  greater  honor  of  the  Holy  Sacrifice. 
25 


290  LIFE    OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

He  frequently  visited  the  most  Holy  Sacrament ;  his 
visits  were  not  at  all  times  of  the  same  length ;  but  if 
he  could  only  spare  from  his  necessary  occupations 
two  minutes  to  adore  his  Saviour,  to  renew  the  offer- 
ing of  his  heart  to  Him,  he  was  content.  He  never 
returned  from  his  labors  outside  the  monastery  with- 
out going  to  salute  a  few  moments  the  God  of  his 
heart. 

But  what  mostly  surprised,  and  at  the  same  time 
edified  his  co-religious,  was  the  ardor  he  manifested 
in  the  performance  of  manual  labor,  although,  on  ac- 
count of  his  former  position  in  society,  he  had  been 
educated  in  different  habits.  His  skill  and  intelligence 
rendered  him  soon  an  adept  in  the  most  difficult  work, 
and  his  virtue  made  him  bear  all  the  laborious  parts 
of  it  with  a  degree  of  patience  that  put  out  of  counte- 
nance the  most  determined  of  his  companions.  In 
general,  the  young  novices  who  are  not  accustomed 
to  manual  labor,  apply  themselves  to  it  at  first  with- 
out making  any  allowance  for  their  natural  strength. 
The  consequence  is,  that  they  soon  become  fatigued, 
and  are  unable  to  endure  the  labor  for  any  length  of 
time.  Such  was  not  the  system  put  into  practice  by 
Brother  Ephraim.  He  commenced  his  labor  with 
moderation,  and  went  on  increasing  it  little  by  little, 
until  his  natural  strength  was  developed.  He  was 
thus  enabled  to  continue  longer  at  work,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  escape  the  notice  of  the  other  brothers ; 
for  his  humility  induced  him  to  avoid  attracting  their 
observations,  cither  through  too  much  zeal,  or  too  little 
industry.  At  this  time,  they  were  employed  at  Aigue- 
bclle  in   freeing  the  land  from  a  prodigious  quantity 


LIFE   OP   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  2'.>1 

of  stones  that  covered  it.  These  stones  ucre  trans- 
ported to  one  place  in  panniers,  which  the  brothers 
carried  on  their  shouklers.  It  was  remarked,  that 
Brother  Ephraim  did  not  at  first  fill  his  basket,  and 
that  he  walked  off  with  it  in  a  slow,  tottering  gait, 
whilst  the  others  almost  ran  under  their  full  bas- 
kets. Very  soon,  however,  the  exercise  increased  his 
strength,  and  he  was  enabled  to  carry  a  heavy  load, 
and  advance  as  quickly  as  any  of  the  others.  In  the 
harvest  field,  he  followed  all  the  labors  of  the  season 
with  incredible  energy.  Having  once  wounded  him- 
self by  the  unskilful  management  of  his  instrument, 
he  went  immediately  to  accuse  himself  to  his  Superior, 
showing  his  wound,  and  proclaiming  that  it  was  caused 
by  his  own  awkwardness.  A  penance  was  imposed 
upon  him,  as  the  constitutions  require,  which  was  by 
him  received  with  more  gladness  than  he  could  ex- 
hibit upon  receiving  an  efficacious  balsam  for  his 
wound. 

After  becoming  skilled  in  mowing,  he  relished  this 
kind  of  labor  better  than  any  other ;  nevertheless, 
upon  a  certain  occasion,  the  brother  who  had  the 
direction  of  the  labor,  made  a  sign  that  the  number 
of  the  mowers  was  too  great  for  the  comparatively 
small  number  of  the  binders.  Although  he  was  not 
designated,  he  immediately  abandoned  his  scythe,  and 
went  to  join  those  of  the  brothers  who  had  the  less 
pleasing  work  of  binding ;  and  this,  too,  after  having 
busied  himself  that  very  morning  in  preparing  a 
scythe  for  his  own  use.  It  was  also  remarked,  that, 
through  the  desire  of  assisting  his  brothers,  he  always 
took  the  most  laborious  posts.     Thus,  one  evening. 


292  LIFE   or   FATHER    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

during  the  intense  lieat  of  summer,  he  was  observed, 
after  having  worked  all  day  in  the  meadow,  to  take 
the  place  of  the  brother  whose  duty  it  was  to  remove 
the  hay  from,  the  wagons,  and  stow  it  on  the  hay 
lofts :  this  was  an  office  ordinarily  reserved  for  the 
most  robust  of  the  community.  Even  whilst  an  in- 
mate of  the  infirmary,  and  seriously  sick,  he  never 
felt  himself  disposed  to  live  without  labor.  The 
superintendent  proportions  the  occupations  of  each  to 
his  strength,  and  when  that  entirely  fails,  he  gives 
him  the  charge  of  scraping  lint  for  future  occasions: 
Brother  Ephraim  was  employed  in  making  matches. 
At  the  distribution  of  the  labor,  he  was  accustomed 
to  open  the  door  of  his  cell,  and  if  the  superintendent 
passed  on  without  giving  him  anything  to  do,  as 
sometimes  happened,  whether  through  design  or  acci- 
dent, he  immediately  rang  his  little  bell  to  recall  him, 
and  begged  him  to  rectify  his  forgetfulness. 

We  have  yet  said  nothing  of  the  mortifications  of 
Brother  Ephraim;  indeed,  it  might  seem  almost  super- 
fluous to  say  that  a  Trappist  is  mortified,  for  the 
name  itself  implies  mortification.  There  is,  however,  a 
manner  of  being  austere  in  austerity  itself;  of  bring- 
ing to  practices  of  the  austerity  a  mind  more  or  less 
devoted.  Noav,  it  can  be  said,  that  the  religious 
whose  life  we  are  tracing,  was  one  of  those  that  knew 
how  to  enliven  all  the  exercises  of  the  rule  with  a  spirit 
eminently  conformable  to  their  holy  state.  The  fol- 
lower of  a  God,  all  whose  morality  is  contained  in 
these  words :  '■''Do  penance,  take  up  your  cross,  and 
follow  me;"  he  endeavored  to  imitate  by  his  conduct 
the  penitent  life  of  his  Divine  Master,  and  was  never 


LIFE    OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM.  293 

forgetful  that  his  Divine  model  had  not  arrived  at  glory 
before  passing  through  the  road  of  Calvary,  and  that 
He  had  not  received  in  heaven  a  crown  of  glory  and 
immortality  before  he  had  carried  here  below  a  crown 
of  thorns.     Accordingly,  he  practised    other    means 
of  mortification,  in  addition  to  those  prescribed  by  the 
rule,    but    without    making   himself    remarkable    for 
singularity.     When  his  superiors   recommended    dis- 
cretion on  this  score,  he  was  accustomed  to  answer : 
I  have   to   do  with   an   intractable   tp-ant,   (by   that 
name  he  designated  his  body,)  who  would  soon  carry 
me  to  perdition,  if  I  did  not  oppose  his  impitiable  ex- 
actions.    He  was  consequently  faithful  to  his  system 
of  coercion,  and  came  off  victorious  in  every  struggle. 
He  slept  barely  through  necessity,  and  before  sleep- 
ing, he  always  went  over  the  prayers  imposed  by  him- 
self or  his  confessor.     During  tlie  heats  of  summer, 
when  the  nights  are  so  short,  the  regulations  of  La 
Trappe  permit    the    religious  to  repose  a  few  hours 
after   dinner,   but   Brother   Ephraim    employed   that 
time  either  in  writing  to  his  correspondents,   or  in 
reading  the  books  of  the  order.     The  dinner  of  La 
Trappe  is  composed,  as  we  have  already  stated,  of  two 
portions   sufficiently   abundant;    he   ate   but    one  of 
these    portions    for    a    considerable    length   of   time. 
When   this  austerity  came  to  the  knowledge  of  his 
superior,  he  was   commanded  to   eat  both  portions: 
obedience  was  more  precious  in  his  eyes  than  morti- 
fication, and  thenceforward  he  ate  all  that  was  served 
up  to  him. 

During  the  winter  season,  there  is  a  room  set  apart 
for  the  use  of  the  religious,   in  which  a  fire  is  con- 
25* 


294  LIFE    OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

stantly  kept  up.  The  rules  of  the  house  permit  them 
to  go  there,  whenever  they  feel  excessively  cold;  they 
are,  however,  obliged  to  warm  themselves  standing, 
remain  but  a  short  time,  and  then  retire,  after  si- 
lently inclining  towards  those  who  might  happen  to 
be  present.  No  person  can  remember  ever  to  have 
seen  Brother  Ephraim  make  use  of  this  privilege, 
though  he  must  have  had  frequent  necessity  to  do  so ; 
it  being  the  most  rigorous  part  of  the  winter,  that  he 
filled  the  office  of  lamp-preparer.  This  is  one  of  the 
most  troublesome,  not  to  say  disgusting,  offices  of  the 
monastery,  for  the  person  who  is  charged  with  it,  is 
obliged  to  clean  and  replenish  with  oil  all  the  lamps, 
which,  in  so  large  an  establishment  as  that  of  Aigue- 
belle,  must  be  necessarily  very  numerous,  and  are 
kept  lighting  all  night.  The  room  of  this  functionary 
is  located  in  a  place  exposed  to  the  open  air,  in  order 
to  prevent  the  deleterious  effects  of  putrid  oil,  and 
must  consequently  be  very  cold  in  winter.  Brother 
Ephraim  was  accustomed  to  labor  four  hours  everyday 
at  this  painful  employment,  exposed  to  the  rigors  of  a 
severe  winter.  One  of  the  brothers,  throu'i^h  com- 
passion,  once  brought  him  a  pan  of  ignited  coals ; 
but,  after  expressing  his  thanks,  he  gave  his  kind 
brother  to  understand  that  he  could  not  profit  by  his 
kindness.  Not  that  he  was  insensible  to  cold;  quite 
the  contrary ;  he  felt  it  so  sensibly,  that  his  hands 
were  frost-bitten  and  covered  over  with  sores  in  con- 
sequence of  exposure.  Such  a  condition,  so  afflict- 
ing to  nature,  was  for  the  virtue  of  this  good  religious 
a  subject  of  heartfelt  joy.  He  could  not  refrain 
from  mentioning  it  in  his  letters  to  his  relations  as  a 


LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  295 

piece  of  important  ne^vs,  adding  that  "  I  have  the 
honor  of  being  lamp-preparer ;  that  is,  the  office  of 
watching  over  all  the  lamps  of  the  monastery,  from 
the  lamp  of  the  Sanctuary  to  that  of  the  stable,  has 
been  confided  to  my  care."  When  another  succeeded 
him  in  this  office,  he  ^yas  permitted  to  speak  to  him 
in  order  that  he  might  inform  him  of  the  manner  in 
which  it  should  be  performed.  He  then  expressed 
his  regret  at  quitting  an  office  that  supplied  him  with 
so  many  occasions  of  exercising  the  virtue  of  self- 
denial,  and  confessed  that  nothing  but  the  obedience 
due  to  the  expressed  orders  of  the  superior,  could  pre- 
vail upon  him  to  resign  it. 

The  oldest  looks,  the  most  worn  breviaries,'  were 
those  he  most  desired.  It  was  a  happiness,  in  his  esti- 
mation, to  be  clothed  in  the  meanest  garb.  Whilst 
he  had  the  care  of  the  lamps,  he  accidentally  spilt 
some  oil  upon  his  habit,  another  was  given  to  him, 
whilst  his  own  was  washing,  but  he  begged  his  superior 
as  a  special  favor  that  he  might  be  permitted  to 
resume  it,  as  soon  as  it  was  washed :  it  was  threadbare, 
and  covered  over  with  patches. 

The  following  fact  is,  in  our  opinion,  an  heroic  act 
of  mortification — as  well  for  the  suffering  caused  by 
it,  as  for  its  duration.  In  reading  over  the  counsels 
of  exalted  spirituality  that  St.  Dorothea  gives  to  those 
wishing  to  advance  in  monastic  perfection,  Ave  were 
struck  with  these  words,  "Never  uncover  yourselves 
for  the  sake  of  being  less  warm."  Father  Ephraim 
had  doubtlessly  read  this  advice,  and  had  also  the 
courage  to  put  it  in  practice.  Until  the  eve  of  his 
death,  he  had  the  constancy  to  keep  his  head  envel- 


296  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM., 

oped  in  a  double  cowl  during  the  intense  heats  of 
summer,  both  by  day  and  night ;  although  the  rule 
permits  the  contrary  use  on  various  occasions.     This 
self-infliction  is  enough  to  frighten  even  the  imagina- 
tion, and  it  seems  to  us  that  no  other  than  a  Trappist 
could  possibly  have  the  moral  strength  to  endure  it. 
To  give  some  idea  to  those  -who  do  not  know  what  a 
double  cowl  is,  let  them  imagine  to  themselves  a  per- 
son having  his  head  enveloped  in  a  thick  woollen  cap, 
that  comes  down  over  the  eyes,  and  that  another  cap 
of  the  same  material  and  thickness  be  placed  over  the 
first ;  let  this  imaginary  person  remain  thus  covered, 
not   during  an  hour,    or   a   day,   but  during   a  long 
perio(f.     If  they  can  bring  to  their  mind's  eye  the 
sufferings  of  such  a  person,  they  then  can  probably 
form  some  notion  of  this  painful  mortification  of  Fa- 
ther Ephraim.     This  stifling  head-dress  kept  him  al- 
most continually  in  a  state  of  profuse  perspiration. 
One  of  his  co-religious,  whose  excessive  turn  of  good 
humor  could  not  be  restrained  even  in  cases  of  grave 
importance,  having  seen   him   in  this  state,  told  the 
Reverend   Father    Abbot,    that   "his    dear   Brother 
Ephraim  was  boiling  in  his  own  gravy.''     This  ex- 
pression, however  trivial,  gives  a  good  description  of 
the  new  kind  of  martyrdom  inflicted  on  himself  with 
so  much  patience  and  constancy  by  this  fervid  reli- 
gious.    The    physician    was    obliged    to    inform    the 
abbot  of   bis   excessive   austerities ;  "  in  his  j^resent 
condition,"  said  the  physician,  "it  would  be  well  to 
induce  him  to  forego  some  of  his  mortifications."    At 
that  time,  he  had  not  a  day  to  live. 

We  have  said  nothing  in  reference   to  the  strict 


LIFE  OF  FATHER  MARIA  EPHRAIM.      297 

silence  of  Father  Ephraim ;  after  what  we  have  al- 
I'cady  related,  it  will  be  easily  believed  that  he  was  as 
strict  in  the  observance  of  this  point  of  the  rule,  as 
of  any  other  we  have  mentioned.  We  shall  give  only 
two  examples : 

It  has  been  already  observed  that  he  found  in  the 
monastery  one  of  his  old  college  friends.  They  had 
permission  to  speak  to  one  another,  because  this  very 
friend  was  the  physician.  Never,  however,  did  he 
call  up  in  conversation  any  remembrance  of  his  former 
life,  or  of  their  common  associates  in  the  world.  The 
rule  dispenses  from  silence  only,  in  order  to  speak  of 
things  indispensable  ;  and  with  the  physician  he  could 
only  speak  of  the  state  of  his  health.  But  how  easy 
would  the  transition  be  to  irrelevant  things,  had  not 
his  scrupulous  observance  restrained  him  ! 

On  another  occasion,  a  brother  who  had  obtained 
permission  to  speak  to  him  on  account  of  some  duty 
with  which  they  were  charged,  and  which  rendered 
speaking  necessary,  having  spoken  to  him  about  some 
irrelevant  matter,  and  at  an  unsuitable  time,  he  im- 
mediately feared  to  be  an  accomplice  of  the  sin,  (if 
sin  there  could  be,)  and  ran  forthwith  to  accuse  him- 
self to  his  superior ;  leaving  his  poor  companion  com- 
pletely astounded,  and,  at  the  same  time,  very  much 
edified  by  such  exemplary  observance. 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

DEVOTION   OF  FATHER  MARIA   EPHRAIM   TOWARDS    THE    BLESSED    VIRGIN. 

We  have  already  spoken  of  the  tender  and  filial 
piety  entertained  by  Father  Ephraim  towards  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  whom  many  of  those  devoted  to  her 
service,  call  the  "Dispenser  of  religious  vocations." 
Whilst  yet  a  child,  he  had  devoted  himself  to  her,  and 
enrolled  his  name  among  her  zealous  servants  at  Aix, 
when  the  silver  heart  was  presented  at  her  altar  by 
the  scholars  of  the  college,  as  has  been  related  in  the 
first  part  of  this  little  volume.  This  devotion  towards 
his  good  Mother  was  redoubled  after  fixing  his  residence 
at  Aiguebelle ;  for  he  firmly  believed  that  he  was  in- 
debted to  her  motherly  protection  for  the  grace  of 
being  able  to  withdraw  himself  from  the  world,  and 
of  dedicating  himself  to  the  service  of  God. 

It  is  related  of  St.  Robert,  the  holy  founder  of  the 
Cistercian  order,  that  he  attributed  to  the  protection 
of  the  Blessed  Mary  all  the  good  he  ever  did  ;  Brother 
Ephraim  followed  his  example.  In  the  hands  of  Mary 
he  deposited  all  his  works,  praying  her  to  offer  them 
herself  to  her  divine  Son.  He  began  all  his  letters 
with  these  words :  All  for  3Iary,  and  through  Mary, 
and  ended  them  by  devoting  himself  to  the  Holy 
Hearts  of  Jesus  and  Mary,  the  centre  and  aim  of  all 
his  affections.  Since  we  have  mentioned  his  letters, 
it  may  be  remarked,  that  their  most  prominent  feature 
(298) 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM.  299 

is,  a  rare  and  heartfelt  confidence  in  the  protection 
of  this  Holy  Queen  of  devout  souls. 

His  sister  having  experienced  some  disappointments, 
he  endeavored  to  console  her  thus :  "  I  pity  your 
affliction  with  all  my  heart,  and  the  more  so,  as  you 
have  not  now  at  your  side  her  who  could  calm  all  our 
inquietudes,  and  dry  all  our  tears,  (he  means  his  mo- 
ther,) but  Heaven  has  taken  her  from  us  !  She  is  in 
the  bosom  of  God,  where  we  may  hope  to  refind  her ! 
Be  consoled,  however,  for  she  still  watches  over  us. 
We  have  also  another  Mother,  who  has  not  less  love 
and  tenderness  for  us,  and  who  is  more  powerful  to 
protect  us;  I  mean,  we  have  our  kind  Mother,  the 
blessed  Virgin  Mary.  She  has  never  refused  any- 
thing to  me ;  go  and  lay  at  her  feet  all  your  troubles; 
she  is  a  sure  refuge,  and  is  she  not  the  Consoler  of  the 
afflicted  ?  You  address  yourself  to  our  father  when 
you  need  clothes  or  anything  of  luxury  or  fancy, 
which  he  has  it  in  his  power  to  procure  for  you,  and 
you  never  go  away  from  him  unsatisfied,  so  great  is  his 
affection  for  you ;  well  then,  my  dearest  sister,  be  as- 
sured, that  Mary  is  still  more  eager  of  assisting  you, 
and  all  who  implore  her  help,  than  any  earthly  parent 
can  possibly  be.  Make  the  trial,  and  you  will  be 
obliged  to  acknowledo;e  her  munificence." 

In  honor  of  Mary,  Brother  Ephraim  transferred  to 
Saturday  the  reading  of  all  the  letters  he  received, 
unless  they  required  an  immediate  answer,  of  which 
he  was  informed  by  the  Reverend  Abbot,  whose  duty 
it  is  to  read  all  the  letters  addressed  to  his  religious 
before  permitting  them  to  be  read  by  those  for  whom 
they  are  intended.     He  actually  became  excited  with 


300  LIFE   OF    FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

a  holy  joy  at  the  name  of  Mary.  Every  night  before 
going  to  bed,  he  recommended  himself  to  her  pro- 
tection, and  always  recited  before  sleeping  a  part  of 
the  rosary.  He  was  often  heard  to  sigh  out  during 
the  night  the  sweet  names  of  Jesus  and  Mary,  and 
received  the  holy  communion  every  Saturday  in  honor 
of  that  tender  mother.  Finally,  he  had  always,  during 
his  sickness,  so  much  confidence  in  her  motherly  pro- 
tection, that  he  expressed  his  certainty  of  being  de- 
livered from  the  trammels  of  this  life  on  one  of  the 
days  specially  set  apart  by  the  church  to  her  honor. 
Writing  to  his  cousin  at  Lyons,  he  says,  "■  Another 
great  festival  in  honor  of  my  great  patroness,  the 
most  Holy  Virgin,  is  near  at  hand.  Oh  !  if  it  were 
permitted  me  to  cast  off  this  mortal  coil  on  that  day, 
I  would  not  fear  the  fires  of  Purgatory."  We  shall 
soon  see  that  he  was  not  deceived  in  his  hope  and 
confidence  of  dying  on  such  a  day ;  for  it  was  on  the 
festival  of  Our  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel,  that  he 
finished  his  exile  in  this  world,  and  went  to  present 
his  homages  to  his  illustrious  Protectress,  the  Queen 
of  Heaven. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

SICKNESS    OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.      HIS    DEATH. 

This  life  is  but  the  apprenticeship  of  eternity,  and 
all  the  time  that  man  passes  on  earth,  has  been 
allowed  to  him  only  to  prepare  himself  by  virtue  for 
participation  in  the  joys  of  eternal  happiness.  Many 
of  the  most  illustrious  saints — among  others,  St. 
Theresa — have  not  hesitated  to  affirm,  that  when  a 
soul  has  arrived  at  that  degree  of  perfection  to  which 
it  is  called  by  God,  He  then  takes  it  from  this  world 
to  put  it  in  possession  of  the  destined  rewards,  unless, 
indeed,  He  should  think  fit  to  leave  it  yet  awhile  on 
earth  for  his  own  glory,  and  for  the  edification  of  his 
creatures.  We  do  not  hesitate  to  bring  the  worthy 
subject  w^hose  life  we  are  writing,  under  this  maxim, 
and  although  he  had  to  deplore  many  years  passed 
in  forgetfulness  of  religious  duties,  the  sincerity  of 
his  return  to  virtue,  the  generosity  of  his  sacrifice,  his 
religious  profession,  and,  above  all  other  things,  his 
persevering  observance  of  all  the  monastic  virtues, 
have  been  sufiicient  to  make  his  expiation  acceptable 
in  the  sight  of  Him  who  is  emphatically  the  God  of 
Mercy.  The  following  passage  from  the  Book  of  Wis- 
dom may  with  justice  be  applied  to  him  :  "  In  the 
short  time  he  had  passed  in  the  exercise  of  penance, 
he  had  passed  through  the  course  of  a  long  life." 
"  Consummatus  in  brevi  explevit  tempora  multa." 
26  (301) 


302  LIFE    OF    FATIIEK    MARIA    EPIIRAIM. 

Father  Ephraim  was  by  no  means  of  a  robust  con- 
stitution. "When  he  arrived  at  Aiguebelle  after  his 
journey  to  Paris,  he  seemed  in  delicate  health :  this 
made  the  reverend  Father  Abbot  fear  that  he  would 
be  soon  frightened  by  the  life  of  a  Trappist.  The 
ardor  he  afterwards  used  in  putting  into  practice  all 
the  religious  observances,  and  in  singing  to  the  ut- 
most extent  of  his  voice,  brought  him  to  a  state  of 
feebleness  that  was  the  subject  of  alarm  to  his  supe- 
riors. He  became  evidently  sick ;  every  one  could 
see  that  he  was  sick,  and  yet  he  was  the  last  person 
himself  to  make  any  mention  of  it.  He  redoubled 
his  regularity  every  day,  and  his  disposition,  never- 
theless, suffered  no  diminution  of  its  usual  holy  calm. 
About  the  end  of  Lent,  he  appeared  worn  out,  and 
coughed  a  great  deal,  so  as  to  attract  the  attention, 
unwillingly  on  his  part,  of  the  community.  The 
Father  that  acted  as  physician,  thought  it  necessary 
to  summon  him  to  the  infirmary,  in  order  to  apply 
some  timely  remedies  to  the  insidious  disease  with 
which  he  was  attacked,  but  Brother  Ephraim,  con- 
sulting only  his  own  fervor,  said  that  su(5h  at- 
tentions were  needless,  and  that  he  really  wanted 
nothing.  The  physician  was  obliged  to  invoke  the 
authority  of  the  Reverend  Abbot,  and  then  obedience 
had  that  efiect  over  the  mind  of  the  good  Ephraim, 
which  no  other  consideration  could  obtain.  He  sub- 
mitted to  everything,  became  an  inmate  of  the  in- 
firmary, and  took  with  simplicity  all  the  medicines 
that  were  presented  him,  never  testifying  any  repug- 
nance, however  bitter  and  disagreeable  they  might 
be.     His  state,  far  from  growing  better,  became  daily 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  303 

worse,  and  he  was  soon  after  declared  to  be  in  a  set- 
tled consumption. 

Brother  Ephraim  was  well  aware  of  the  character 
of  the  maladv  with  which  he  was  attacked,  but  this 
had  no  terrors  for  him:  he  had  often  sighed  for  the 
happiness  of  dying  a  Trappist,  and  he  was  rather 
rejoiced  that  this  happiness  was  about  to  be  speedily 
accomplished.  It  was  formerly  the  custom  to  adorn 
with  flowers  and  evergreens  the  graves  of  the  vener- 
ated dead  of  La  Trappe.  This  custom  has  now  fallen 
into  disuse,  in  consequence  of  its  being  deemed  incom- 
patible with  monastic  poverty  and  simplicity.  Brother 
Ephraim  had  written  to  his  friends  at  Perpignan  for 
a  quantity  of  flower-seeds  and  of  evergreens,  in  order 
to  adorn  the  cemetery  of  Aiguebelle,  with  the  care 
of  which  he  was  charged  about  this  period.  In  a  letter 
of  thanks  to  his  aunt  for  her  kindness  in  sending  him 
the  above  articles,  occur  the  following  words  :  "  Oh  ! 
my  dearest  aunt,  how  happy  would  I  deem  myself,  if 
your  present  should  be  used  to  adorn  the  grave  that 
is  destined  for  me  !"  On  another  occasion,  writing  to 
his  cousin  at  Lyons,  he  says,  "  I  am  perfectly  con- 
scious, that  I  am  destined  for  an  early  grave ;  it  is, 
therefore,  in  vain  that  you  endeavor  to  deceive  me 
on  the  score  of  my  complaint :  I  may,  however,  be 
yet  in  life  until  after  the  approaching  feast  of  the 
Visitation.  If  I  could  only  obtain  the  favor  of  dying 
on  the  day  of  the  Assumption,  I  would  have  no  fear 
of  the  fires  of  purgatory; — but  the  will  of  God  be 
done." 

Whilst  in  the  infirmary.  Father  Ephraim  was  no 
less  regular  in  observance  than  when  partaking  of  the 


304  LIFE   OF  FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

common  life  of  his  brethren.  He  commenced  by 
studying  the  regulations  binding  on  the  sick,  and  con- 
formed himself  to  them  in  every  respect.  He  was 
punctual  in  quitting  his  long,  heavy  cloak  at  the  pre- 
scribed hours,  and  consecrate  to  the  manual  labor  he 
was  capable  of  performing  all  the  hours  he  was  exempt 
from  pain.  One  day,  one  of  the  brothers  obtained 
permission  to  visit  him ;  entering  his  cell,  he  saluted 
him,  and  was  going  to  begin  some  conversation,  when 
the  invalid,  interrupting  him  as  politely  as  possible, 
begged  him  to  remember  that  the  regulations  com- 
manded, that  a  visit  to  the  infirmary  should  be  always 
commenced  with  prayer.  At  the  same  time,  he  raised 
himself  from  the  bed  with  much  trouble,  and  kneeling 
down,  spent  a  few  moments  in  prayer,  after  which  he 
replied,  with  cheerfulness,  to  all  the  questions  that 
were  put  to  him. 

The  regulations  prescribe  it  as  an  obligation  on  the 
sick  to  attend  chapter  and  the  conventual  mass  as 
often  as  possible.  This  injunction  he  obeyed  as  long 
as  he  could ;  and  even  when  rendered  by  excess  of  sick- 
ness incapable  of  free  motion,  he  set  out  for  the 
church  and  chapter-room  before  the  appointed  time, 
in  order  by  creeping  on  slowly  he  might  arrive  before 
the  commencement  of  mass,  and  of  the  other  exercises. 
One  day,  the  physician  found  him  extended  on  the 
ground,  a  few  paces  from  his  cell.  What  are  you 
doing  there  ?  said  he  to  him. — I  was  trying  to  reach 
the  church  in  time  for  mass,  replied  he,  but  my 
strength  has  failed. — The  good  brother  raised  him  up, 
and  helped  him  back  to  bed.  From  that  time  forward, 
he  was  unable  to  go  to  the  church,  unassisted :  he  was, 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPHRAIM.  305 


however,  carried  tliitlier  in  a  cliair,  wliich  made  him 
one  day  exclaim  in  a  tone  of  gayetj,  "Why  !  I  have 
become  a  great  lord  on  a  sudden ;  I  no  longer  travel 
but  in  a  palanquin." 

Every  day  he  became  weaker  and  weaker ;  he  was 
often  a  prey  to  frightful  shortness  of  breath,  and  at 
such  times,  it  was  often  thought  expedient  to  admin- 
ister to  him  the  last  sacraments,  lest  it  should  happen 
that  he  might  be  called  away  without  having  pre- 
viously received  them.  This  ceremony  could  now  be 
no  longer  deferred.  According  to  the  established 
custom  of  the  order,  he  was  carried  in  a  chair  to  the 
church.  All  the  community  was  in  attendance.  The 
Reverend  Father  Abbot,  surrounded  by  the  usual 
officers,  and  dressed  in  his  robes  of  ceremony,  ap- 
proached the  invalid,  and  thus  addressed  him,  whilst 
presenting  a  crucifix  :  "  My  dear  Brother,  Jesus  Christ 
sends  me  to  you  as  the  messenger  of  joyful  news ; 
after  a  few  days,  you  will  be  summoned  to  depart,  in 
order  to  take  possession  of  the  place  prepared  for  you 
in  His  great  monastery  of  Heaven.  It  is,  however, 
customary  to  make  provisions  for  that  great  journey, 
and  I  am  come  therefore  to  strengthen  you  with  the 
holy  consolations  of  religion,  and  to  administer  to  you 
the  Holy  Viaticum,  to  enable  you  to  reach  your 
destined  place  of  rest.  You  have  had  constant  confi- 
dence in  our  good  mother,  the  Star  of  the  Sea ;  it  is 
now  that  you  will  experience  the  effects  of  her  power- 
ful protection ;  repose  yourself  on  her  tenderness,  and 
abandon  yourself  wholly  to  the  mercy  of  the  Lord." 
Extreme  Unction  and  the  Holy  Viaticum  were  then 
administered  with  all  the  ceremonies  prescribed  by  the 
26* 


306  LIFE   OP   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

ritual  of  the  Cistercian  order,  and  amid  the  prayers 
of  the  assembled  communitj. 

He  had  always  for  his  Reverend  Abbot  particular 
attachment,  and  more  than  once  openly  acknowledged, 
that  his  kindness  had  powerfully  sustained  his  voca- 
tion, whilst  his  example  encouraged  him  in  the  most 
painful  labors.  His  visits  were  the  cause  of  great 
consolation  to  him  during  his  sickness,  for  every  time 
he  saw  him  and  received  his  benediction,  he  made  a 
provision  of  patience  and  courage  to  sustain  himself 
in  his  physical  sufferings.  The  abbot,  on  his  part, 
dearly  loved  Brother  Ephraim,  for  he  was  one  of  his 
good  and  fervent  religious,  whose  loss  would  painfully 
afflict  him,  were  he  not  convinced  that  he  only  lost 
him  because  his  presence  was  required  in  heaven  ;  and 
the  thoughts  of  the  happiness  he  was  going  to  enjoy 
among  the  blessed  worshippers  before  the  throne  of 
the  Almighty,  mitigated  the  sacrifice  he  was  obliged 
to  make.  He  went  to  see  him  every  day,  and  every 
day  he  parted  from  him  more  edified  by  his  happy 
disposition. 

When  a  religious  is  obliged  to  absent  himself  from 
his  monastery,  he  obtains  from  his  superior  a  certi- 
ficate manifesting  the  permission  for  doing  so,  in  order 
not  to  incur  ecclesiastical  censure,  or  not  to  be  exposed 
to  the  danger  of  being  looked  upon  as  an  apostate  and 
fugitive.  In  this  certificate,  which  is  technically 
termed  "an  obedience,"  it  is  specified,  how  long  he 
can  remain  absent,  and  also  the  place  or  places  he  is 
to  remain  at  during  his  absence,  are  set  down. 
Brother  Ephraim  was  hourly  expecting  to  change  his 
residence ;  he,  therefore,  expressed  a  desire  of  carry- 


LIFE    OP   FATHER    MARIA   EPHRAIM.  307 

ing  with  him  an  obedience  from  his  beloved  superior. 
We  give  below  a  copy  of  this  curious  piece,  which  may- 
serve  as  an  illustration  of  the  confiding  affection  of 
the  disciple,  and  of  the  tender  solicitude  of  the 
master  : 
"  We,  Brother  Orsisius,  Abbot  of  Our  Lady  of  La 

Trappe  of  Aiguebelle, 

To  our  well-beloved  son,  Maria  Ephraim,  Religious 
of  said  monastery :  Health  and  peace  in  Our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  It  is  the  will  of  the  Good  Shepherd  to 
call  you  to  himself  into  his  kingdom.  We  supplicate 
Him,  by  his  own  Sacred  Heart,  and  by  all  that  he 
has  done  for  us,  to  remit  all  your  sins,  even  the  most 
venial,  and  to  permit  you  to  enjoy  His  blessed  pre- 
sence from  the  moment  you  leave  this  valley  of  tears. 
We  recommend  you  to  the  maternal  goodness  of 
Mary,  our  zealous  Protectress,  that  she  may  be 
pleased  not  to  forsake  you  in  your  agony,  that  she 
may  console  you  in  your  troubles,  and  present,  by 
her  own  hands,  your  soul  to  her  Divine  Son,  who  will 
not  refuse  her  anything.  When  you  shall  have 
arrived  at  our  country  in  heaven,  we  command  you, 
through  the  merit  of  holy  obedience,  to  pray  without 
ceasing  for  all  the  travelling  brothers  you  have  left 
at  Aiguebelle,  until  they  also  shall  have  happily 
arrived.  You  shall  also  present  the  spiritual  and 
temporal  wants  of  this  monastery  to  our  holy  Father, 
St,  Bernard,  who  will  be  our  advocate  with  Mary. 
May  the  peace,  joy,  and  Grace,  of  our  Xord  Jesus 
Christ,  be  always  with  you.     Amen.     Jesus.     Mary. 

\_,Sig7ied]     F.  ORSISE, 
x::^^==^^  Abbot  of  Aiguebelle. 

Cj^y     F.  G.,  Secretary:' 


808  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

Father  Ephraim  preserved  this  docuroent  with  the 
greatest  care ;  he  had  it  next  to  his  heart  when  he 
died,  and  requested  that  it  might  he  buried  with  him. 

One  sad  thought  came  to  trouble  the  holy  calm  he 
enjoyed  on  his  bed  of  suffering:  he  grieved  that  his 
father  persisted  in  denying  him  the  consolation  of 
writing  to  him.     This  was  a  new  opportunity  of  ac- 
quiring merit;  every  time  that  this  thought  crossed  his 
mind,  he  offered  the   affliction  it  caused  him,  to   the 
God  of  his  heart,  saying  with  the  holy  prophet :   My 
parents  have  deserted  me,  but  the  Lord  has  taken  me 
in  charge, — Pater  mens  et  mater  mea  dereliquerurit 
me,  Deus  auteni  assumpsit  me.     Though  he  earnestly 
solicited  in  all  his  letters  a  few  lines  from  the  hands 
of   his  father,  and  a  word  of  pardon,  he   never  felt 
towards  him  any  other  sentiment  than  one  of  affection. 
A  little  before  death,  being  himself  unable  to  hold  the 
pen,  he  dictated  a  letter  for  his  father  to  the  attend- 
ant of  the  infirmary,  by  which  he  hoped  to  move  him. 
He  says,  "  You  know,  my  dear  father,  that,  since  I 
have  made  my  solemn  profession,  I  have  the   happi- 
ness of  belonging  wholly  to  God.     I  now  feel  myself 
called  upon  to  assure  you,  that,  had  I  established  my- 
self in  the  world  according  to  your  wishes,  all  the 
pleasures  that   could  be   obtained  there,  would  be  to 
me  insipid,  in  comparison  with  the  content  and  repose 
of  soul  I  experience  in  my  present  state.     Oh  !  if  you 
could  only  comprehend  the  happiness  of  belonging  only 
to  God,  to  God  without  reserve,  you  would  not  long  hesi- 
tate to  fly  from  the  world,  which  offers  only  troubles, 
pains,  and  miseries  of  all  kinds.     I  am  as  happy  as  it 
is  permitted  to  be  on  this  earth.     I  ask  from  God  one 


LIFE   OF    FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  309 

thing  only,  and  I  conjure  you  to  ask  it  also  for  me 
from  the  Divine  Mercy — it  is  the  grace  of  persevering 
in  my  holy  calling.  I  would  desire  nothing  hotter 
than  to  he  instantly  summoned  to  the  Throne  of  the 
Most  High ;  one  must  be  so  happy  in  the  presence  of 
Jesus  and  Mary.  The  will  of  God  be  done  in  all 
things.  I  wish  my  dear  sister  to  be  assured  of  the 
interest  I  take  in  her  happiness :  as  to  yourself,  you 
know  my  sentiments  towards  your  honored  person ; 
they  are  and  always  will  be  the  same." 

Some  days  before  his  death,  Brother  Ephraim  wag 
anxiously  inquiring  of  the  physician,  whenever  he  was 
visited  by  him,  whether  his  sojournment  here  below 
was  likely  to  extend  to  a  long  period ;  for  that,  in- 
deed, he  was  desirous  of  dying  and  being  Avith  God. 
At  last,  one  day  that  the  abbot  happened  to  accom- 
pany him  in  his  visits,  the  physician  thought  himself 
authorized  to  announce  to  him  his  approaching  end. 
Everywhere  else,  it  is  usual  to  hide,  as  much  as  possi- 
ble, this  terrible  and  decisive  moment  from  the  sick ; 
at  La  Trappe,  it  is  needless  to  use  such  precautions. 
The  fervent  Trappist  is  not  frightened  by  the  approach 
of  death ;  for  he  knows  that  death  is  for  him  a  happy 
transition  to  a  better  Hfe.  Though  he  is  not  ignorant 
that  the  judgments  of  God  are  always  doubtful,  he  is 
yet  well  aware  that  the  judge  who  is  about  to  decide 
on  his  lot,  is  a  God  of  goodness ;  he  is  full  of  confi- 
dence in  the  merits  of  his  Saviour,  whom  he  had  en- 
deavored to  follow,  and  whose  cross  he  had  attempted 
to  carry.  "  If  it  is  hard  to  live  a  Trappist,  it  is  also 
sweet  to  die  one,"  has  even  passed  into  a  proverb. 

From  a  conviction  of  the  happiness  in  store  for  the 


310  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

true  Trapplst,  the  agonizing  are  the  first  to  inquire 
concerning  the  moment  of  their  own  departure.  The 
Reverend  Abbot,  whilst  announcing  to  Brother  Eph- 
raim  his  approaching  dissolution,  sought  to  fortify  him 
bj  his  counsels  against  any  dread  of  the  increase  of 
physical  sufferings.  "I  know  well,"  replied  Brother 
Ephraim,  "  I  know  well,  that  the  assaults  which  nature 
has  to  sustain  against  death,  frequently  overpower 
the  body,  but  I  reckon  upon  the  powerful  protection 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  whom  I  have  so  often 
prayed  to  assist  me  at  this  last  hour,  and  to  present 
my  soul  to  her  Son,  after  its  parting  from  the  body." 

After   some    moments    of 

silence,  he  added,  "  It  is  then  on  this  very  night,  that 
the  world  will  end  for  me,  the  world  with  all  its 
illusions !" 

That  evening,  after  complins,  the  Reverend  Father 
again  visited  him,  and  spoke  to  him  a  few  moments 
in  private.  The  physician  also  came  to  see  him,  not 
that  he  imagined  that  the  sick,  or  rather  the  dying 
man,  could  be  assisted  by  his  art.  He  came  simply 
for  the  sake  of  being  edified  by  his  example,  and  to 
witness  the  calmness  with  which  a  Christian  can  die. 
Upon  perceiving  him.  Brother  Ephraim  made  the 
usual  inquiry  as  to  the  probability  of  his  dying  that 
night ;  yes,  my  good  brother,  replied  he,  you  shall, 
perhaps,  before  morning  be  in  the  bosom  of  your  God, 
but  take  courage  ! — But  there  was  no  necessity  for 
such  exhortation  ;  the  patient  was  calm,  his  face  al- 
most beaming  with  joy,  and  seemed  to  be  peacefully 
meditating  upon  the  eternal  happiness  of  a  future  life. 

According  to  the  custom   of  the  house,  whenever 


LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM.  oil 

the  sick  are  in  danger  of  death,  an  attendant  and  one 
of  the  priests  remain  constantly  at  his  side.  Seeing 
this  just  man  so  tranquil,  on  such  an  occasion,  they 
felt  themselves  penetrated  with  awe,  and  assisted  with 
holy  recollections  at  so  sublime  a  scene.  It  seemed 
to  them,  that  angels  were  about  to  descend  into  the 
poor  cell ;  and  the  consolations  that  inundated  that 
predestined  soul,  had  already  burst  forth  in  their  own 
hearts. 

During  the  night,  his  physical  sufferings  redoubled. 
They  addressed  to  hira  many  questions,  in  order  to 
find  out  something  that  might  serve  to  mitigate  them  ; 
he  made  signs  that  he  was  unwilling  to  speak.  They 
were  consequently  obliged  to  respect  his  love  of 
silence,  although  dispensed  from  it  on  such  occasions 
by  the  very  rules.  At  ten  O'clock,  a  profuse,  cold 
sweat  covered  his  whole  body,  and  he  experienced  a 
devouring  thirst,  but  abstained,  nevertheless,  from 
drinking ;  he  would  not  even  permit  them  to  wipe  the 
sweat  from  his  face.  The  attendant  held  his  burning 
and  emaciated  hand,  whilst  the  priest  was  suggesting 
to  him  some  thoughts  suitable  to  his  present  condition. 
All  at  once  there  came  on  an  alarming  crisis,  either 
caused  by  the  violence  of  the  disease,*  or  the  effects  of 
the  imagination,  so  ordinary  at  the  approach  of  death. 
He  cried  out  violently,  and  it  was  believed  by  his 
attendants,  that  his  cries  were  the  harbingers  of  the 
death-agony  just  now  commencing.  The  community 
was  summoned,  and  among  the  first  that  entered  the 
cell  was  the  Reverend  Abbot,  who  threw  himself  upon 
the  neck  of  his  beloved  son,  and  anxiously  inquired 
whether  his  mind  was  at  peace.     He  then  made  him 


312  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

kiss  a  miraculous  image  belonging  to  the  monastery, 
and  gave  him  his  benediction.  Nothing  more  was 
necessary  to  quiet  him  ;  the  sight  of  his  Reverend 
Father  was  of  itself  sufficient  to  make  him  forget  his 
sufferings,  or,  at  least,  to  make  him  bear  them  with 
angelic  patience.  He  even  forced  himself  to  give 
utterance  to  some  words,  by  which  he  might  express 
his  thanks  and  gratitude  for  the  care  and  attention 
bestowed  upon  him,  not  only  at  that  particular  mo- 
ment, but  during  the  whole  time  he  had  the  happiness 
of  living  in  the  community.  After  a  while,  he  re- 
sumed his  ordinary  serenity.  It  was  now  deemed 
necessary  to  give  him  the  absolution  of  the  order,  in 
articulo  mortis.  It  is  the  custom,  that  whenever  the 
sick  person  is  evidently  at  the  point  of  death,  he  be 
extended  on  the  ground  upon  a  cloth  of  black  serge, 
under  which  is  placed  a  quantity  of  ashes  blessed  by 
the  abbot.  The  utter  prostration  of  strength  into 
which  Brother  Ephraim  had  fallen,  precluded  the 
possibility  of  complying  with  this  custom  in  his  case. 
They  therefore  commenced  the  prayers  for  the  re- 
commendation of  a  soul ;  the  Father  Abbot  on  his 
knees  at  the  side  of  the  dying,  reciting  them  in  a  loud 
voice,  and  the  brothers  in  the  same  position  on  each 
side  of  the  bed,  answering.  Brother  Ephraim  seemed 
to  accompany  this  pious  exercise  with  the  same  tran- 
quillity that  he  would  have  had,  were  any  other  person 
the  one  immediately  concerned.  The  prayers  were  not 
yet  ended,  when  the  good  religious  was  seen  to  raise 
his  head,  and  pronounce  in  a  distinct  tone  of  voice  the 
sweet  names  of  Jesus  and  Mary,  and  then  let  it  fall 
by  degrees  upon  the  pillow;  it  was  now  perceived 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA    EPIIRAIM.  313 

that  he  had  ceased  to  live  :  his  soul  had  disengaged 
itself  without  an  effort,  and  had  floAvn  to  the  bosom 
of  God.  The  physician  approached,  to  be  assured  of 
his  death,  for  nothing  in  the  exterior  as  yet  an- 
nounced it.  His  countenance,  on  the  contrary,  ap- 
peared radiant  with  an  angelic  and  supernatural 
beauty ;  his  eyes,  still  open,  appeared  as  if  fixed  upon 
the  Reverend  Abbot.  He  died  on  the  16th  of  July, 
the  Festival  of  Our  Lady  of  Mount  Carmel. 

The  prayers  now  gave  place  to  the  beautiful  and 
affecting  response  Suhvenite  Saneti.  "  Ye  Saints  of 
Heaven,  Ye  Angels  of  the  Lord,  hasten  to  come  and 
receive  this  soul,  to  present  it  before  the  Throne  of 
the  Most  High."  At  the  same  time,  the  Father  Abbot 
incenses  the  dead  body  and  sprinkles  it  with  holy 
water.  After  this,  whilst  it  is  washing  and  in  the 
act  of  being  clothed  in  the  religious  habit,  all  the 
community  are  singing  appropriate  psalms  in  a 
neighboring  chamber,  until,  all  being  ready,  it  is 
borne  processionally  to  the  church,  extended  on  the 
bier ;  and  remains  thus  exposed,  with  the  face  un- 
covered, till  the  moment  of  burial ;  the  religious,  at 
the  same  time,  two  by  two,  in  turns,  reciting  the 
office  of  the  dead  around  it. 

The  death  of  this  saintly  Father  created  a  painful 
sensation  through  the  whole  monastery ;  he  was 
beloved  by  every  one,  and  looked  upon  as  a  saint. 
On  this  account,  whilst  his  remains  were  exposed  in 
the  church,  many  ardently  desired  to  have  something 
belonging  to  him  as  a  relic ;  and  it  is  positively  ascer- 
tained that  part  of  his  hair  was  privately  cut  off  for 
that  purpose,  and  one  of  his  nails  wholly  taken  away : 
27 


314  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    ErHRAIM. 

some  even  now  invoke  his  intercession,  as  if  they 
were  assured  of  his  beatification,  and  of  his  influence 
at  the  throne  of  God. 

Thus  people  live  and  die  at  La  Trappe ;  for  be  it 
remembered  that  Father  Ephraim  is  only  one  of  many. 
In  the  necrology  of  Aiguebelle,  it  would  be  easy  to 
find  many  other  religious,  whose  lives  might  present 
details,  not  perhaps  so  varied  as  those  of  Father 
Ephraim's,  but  yet  admirable  for  regularity  and  edi- 
fication. 

It  is  needless  to  mention  in  detail  the  ceremonies 
usual  at  the  burial.     Nothing  particular  was  added 
to  them  on  the  present  occasion.     All  the  exercises 
of  the  community,  all  the  masses  were,  as  is  customary, 
applied  from  the  moment  of  his  death  until  the  de- 
positing of  his  body  in  the  grave,  for  the  repose  of 
the  soul  of  the  defunct.     Each  priest  of  the  monastery 
applied,  immediately  after,  three  masses  for  the  same 
intention;    each    choir-religious    recited    the    whole 
psalter,  and  each  lay-brother,  one  hundred  and  fifty 
times  the  Miserere.     At  the  first  chapter  that  follow- 
ed, all  rendered  an  account  of  having  performed  the 
required  supplications  to  the  throne  of  Grace  for  his 
eternal  repose.     Circulars  were  sent  to  the  different 
houses  of  the  male  and  female  Trappists  in  France, 
announcing  his  demise,  and  claiming  the  prescribed 
suffrages.     Finally,    his    place  in   the   refectory  was 
left  unoccupied  during  thirty  days  ;  the  usual  dishes 
were  placed  near  it,  and  afterwards  distributed  to  the 
poor,  for  the  repose  of  his  soul. 

When  the  hour  appointed  for  the  interment  came, 
the  Superior,  attended  by  the  Acolothists  and  Incense- 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  315 

bearers,  advanced  to  recite  the  usual  prayers  around 
the  corpse.  After  the  last  absolution,  the  procession, 
composed  of  the  whole  community,  filed  off  towards 
the  cemetery,  singing  the  psalm.  In  exitu  Israel  de 
^g7/pto.  The  body,  borne  by  four  professed  monks, 
occupied  a  space  left  between  the  rows  of  the  choir- 
religious,  and  of  the  lay-brothers.  Upon  arriving  at 
the  cemetery,  the  four  who  bore  it,  divested  them- 
selves of  their  cowls,  and  lowered  it  down  into  the 
grave  previously  prepared.  One  of  the  brothers  also 
descended,  and  arranged  it  in  a  becoming  posture, 
covering  the  face  w^ith  the  hood  of  the  habit ;  for  the 
religious  of  La  Trappe,  having  made  a  vow  of  poverty, 
practise  this  virtue  even  after  death ;  being  interred 
without  a  coffin,  and  enveloped  in  the  religious  habit 
only.  The  first  portion  of  earth  having  been  thrown 
on  the  body  by  the  Abbot,  the  same  four  religious  pro- 
ceed to  cover  it  up  entirely.  The  grave  having  been 
filled  up,  then  all  the  community  prostrate  themselves 
on  the  ground,  whilst  the  choir-leader  chaunts  forth,  in 
a  loud  and  gradually  increasing  tone  of  voice,  the  words, 
'■'■Bomine,  miserere," — "Lord,  have  mercy;"  they  an- 
swering in  the  same  tone,  ^^  Super  peccatoi'e," — "  Upon 
the  sinner."  This  piercing  cry,  and  on  so  awful  an  occa- 
sion, is  sufficient  to  go  through  the  very  heart.  The 
religious  now  return  back  to  the  monastery  in  the 
same  order,  and  singing  the  Seven  Penitential  Psalms. 
In  the  world,  splendid  monuments  and  gaudy  tombs 
may  designate  the  place  of  rest  of  those  distinguished 
either  for  riches  or  honors;  but  such  works  cannot 
protect  their  remains  from  putrefaction  and  worms; 
at  La  Trappe,  a  simple  wooden  cross,   on  which  are 


316  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA    EPHRAIM. 

inscribed  the  name  in  religion — (not  the  secular  name) 
— the  age,  and  the  date  of  his  demise,  is  raised  over 
what  remains  of  the  poor  Trappist.  Thus,  after,  as 
well  as  before  death,  he  is  always  the  same,  busied 
in  hiding  himself  from  the  world,  and  satisfied  with 
being  seen  and  known  by  God  alone. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


REFLECTIONS  IN  CONCLUSION. 


We  ^vill  be  permitted  to  conclude  the  edifying 
recital  of  this  life  by  a  few  reflections  that  may  be  of 
advantage  to  some  of  our  readers. 

1st.  0  you,  whoever  you  be,  who  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  visiting  one  of  the  monasteries  of  the  Con- 
gregation of  La  Trappe,  do  not  neglect  to  make  use 
of  the  privilege.  Make  there,  if  possible,  a  retreat 
of  a  few  days,  and  you  shall  certainly  profit  by  it. 
If,  however,  you  cannot  bring  yourself  to  submit  to 
the  spiritual  exercises,  spend  there  at  least  some  time 
even  through  curiosity,  and  you  cannot  fail  to  reap 
some  advantage.  It  is  not  that  you  will  hear  in  this 
abode  of  recollection  and  silence  pathetic  sermons;  no; 
but  that  very  recollection,  that  very  silence  will  speak  to 
your  heart,  and  make  you  hear  an  eloquent  language, 
for  everything  preaches  at  La  Trappe,  even  the  very 
walls,  that  are  covered  with  sentences,  Avhose  pro- 
found meaning  penetrates  the  most  insensible  hearts. 
"Flee  from  the  world,  Arsenius,  and  you  shall  be 
saved,"  is  the  first  salute  given  in  writing  to  every 
stranger  arriving  at  the  gate  of  the  cloisters  of  Aigue- 
belle.  And,  in  fact,  this  inscription  on  the  gate  eon- 
tains  in  little  all  that  is  practised  in  this  sanctuary, 
where  everything  breathes  of  a  contempt  for  the 
vanities  of  the  world,  and  of  a  love  for  the  precious 
advantages  of  solitude.  Everything  there  excites 
27*  (317) 


318  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIIIAIM. 

emotion,  and  the  Impressions  received  are  salutary 
and  durable.  At  the  sight  of  those  austere  visages,  of 
exteriors  so  abstracted  from  worldly  feelings,  of  those 
men,  in  a  word,  whom  the  fervor  of  a  penitential  life 
voluntarily  deprives  of  the  use  of  their  senses,  and 
renders,  so  to  speak,  blind,  deaf  and  dumb,  through 
choice,  one  can  scarcely  get  the  better  of  surprise  and 
admiration ;  the  strange  contrast  with  everything  so 
esteemed  in  the  world  strikes  the  mind  with  astonish- 
ment. One  is  almost  tempted  to  doubt,  whether  such 
mortified  beings  belong  to  a  living  generation,  and  to 
inquire,  whether  the  trumpet  of  the  day  of  judgment 
has  already  sounded  for  them.  It  is,  indeed,  almost 
impossible  to  make  a  passing  visit  to  La  Trappe  without 
returning  in  a  better  spirit.  The  idea  of  everything 
seen  there,  sustains  the  tottering  in  the  diflScult  cir- 
cumstances of  life,  prompts  to  the  avoiding  of  evil 
deeds,  and  most  frequently  determines  the  mind  to 
the  practice  of  virtue. 

Besides,  this  visit  not  unfrequently  becomes  the 
prelude  to  noble  resolutions.  The  fashionable  young 
man  whose  mind  experienced  so  sudden  a  change, 
may  serve  for  an  example.  Whilst  making  an  ex- 
cursion of  pleasure  through  France,  he  one  day  found 
himself  accidentally  at  Montelimart,  sitting  at  the 
door  of  a  coffee-house,  and  smoking  a  cigar  to  kill 
time.  Suddenly  he  is  struck  with  the  sight  of  a 
personage  more  extraordinary  than  he  had  ever  met 
before  in  his  travels :  it  was  the  Father  who  had  the 
supervision  of  the  temporal  concerns  of  the  monastery 
of  Aiguebelle,  and  who,  at  that  time,  had  left  his 
beloved  solitude  for  some  necessary  business  of  the 


LIFE    OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPURAIM.  319 

community.  He  anxiously  inquires  who  that  strange 
being  is,  and  what  was  the  meaning  of  such  a  dress, 
and  of  such  a  manner  of  life.  Being  informed,  and 
also,  that  there  were  many  others  of  the  same  class, 
and  of  the  same  manner  of  life,  living  in  the  neigh- 
boring monastery,  he  hastens  thither  without  any 
other  design  than  that  of  gratifying  his  curiosity. 
Arrived  at  the  convent,  he  is  astonished  at  what 
he  sees,  cannot  drag  himself  away,  and  at  length  de- 
termines to  fix  himself  there  permanently.  He  was 
absolutely,  at  this  time,  ignorant  of  the  first  princi- 
ples of  religion  :  instructions  are  given  and  greedily 
swallowed,  he  is  admitted  to  his  first  communion, 
takes  the  habit,  and  dies  many  years  afterwards  in 
the  odor  of  sanctity. 

Another  example.  A  young  gentleman  of  Provence 
having  lost  his  way  in  a  hunting  excursion,  accidentally 
came  across  a  Trappist,  in  a  lonely  part  of  the  wood, 
dragging  after  him  the  immense  trunk  of  a  tree  that 
he  had  just  felled.  Fatigue  and  the  rays  of  the  sun 
had  nearly  exhausted  his  strength,  the  sweat  flowed 
profusely  from  his  brow,  yet  upon  that  same  brow 
there  shone  the  rays  of  contentment  and  happiness. 
Our  sportsman  passed  on  Avithout  much  delay,  but  he 
had  seen  too  much  for  his  peace  of  conscience.  That 
religious,  perhaps,  said  he  to  himself,  has  been  some- 
thing great  in  the  world ;   perhaps  he  also  has  run 

after  false  pleasures, he  has  now,  however, 

renounced  such  pursuits,  and  is  apparently  happy. — 
Such  were  the  ideas  that  came  across  his  mind,  and 
constantly  pursued  him,  even  in  the  midst  of  joys  and 
amusements ;  it  seemed  to  him  that  he  had  continually 


320  LIFE    OF   FATHER    MARIA   EPIIRAIM. 

at  his  heels  the  good  Trappist,  and  his  painful  burden. 
Finally,  he  could  regain  his  tranquillity  by  no  other 
means  than  by  enrolling  himself  under  the  standard 
of  St.  Bernard,  and  becoming  a  soldier  in  the  holy 
ranks  of  penitents.  He  is  at  this  moment  (1843)  one 
of  the  most  devoted  religious  of  his  monastery. 

2nd.  All  men,  doubtlessly,  are  not  obliged  to  quit  the 
world,  and  live  the  life  of  an  anchoret  in  the  cloister ; 
but  there  are  many  souls  whom  God  calls  to  this  state, 
and  who  will  have  great  facility  to  sanctify  themselves 
if  they  hear  his  voice,  whilst  they  incur  great  risk  of 
being  utterly  undone  by  resisting  Him.     It  is  then  a 
matter  of  vital  importance   to  those  who  feel  them- 
selves drawn  towards  the  desert,  to  examine  carefully, 
what  kind  of  a  spirit  they  are  influenced  by.     If  this 
spirit  be  truly  of  God,  their  vocation  is  too  sublime 
to  admit  a  doubt  of  their  being  enlightened  from  above 
on  the  road  they  are  prompted  to  take.     Perhaps  they 
may  not  be  able  to  see  clearly  before  them,  at  first 
setting  out,   but  if  they  continue  faithful,   God  will 
lead  them  out  of   the  dark  passages,  and  put  them 
on  the  fair,  open  path :  there  are  thousands  of  ways 
of  doing  so,  known  only  to  His  all-seeing  eye.    Be  ye, 
therefore,  whoever  ye  are  who  feel  yourselves  thus 
called,  be  ye  prudent  and  cautious ;  consult  with  your 
friends  and  near  relations,  and  submit  everything  to 
the  decision  of  a  wise  and  experienced  confessor.     If 
ye  meet  with  lawful  and  reasonable  opposition,  have 
patience  for  the  time,  and  without  renouncing  your 
designs,  wait  till  the  Lord  take  away  such  obstacles : 
put  your  confidence  in  Him,  for  He,  at  the  proper 
season,  will  know  how  to  bend  the  will  of  those  upon 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM.  321 

whom  ye  depend.  By  patience,  and  fidelity  to  the 
grace  bestowed  upon  you,  things  •will  be  arranged 
sooner  or  later  according  to  your  wishes. 

But  when  the  moment  shall  arrive  that  ye  feel  your- 
selves inwardly  touched  by  the  visit  of  the  Lord,  and 
instigated    by   some   hidden   agency   to   sacrifice   the 
victim  of  self,  that  He  asks  of  you,  beware  of  long 
hesitation,  for  it  is  most  dangerous :  arm  yourselves 
with  courage,  and  consummate  the  sacrifice.    If  ye  be 
faithful  in  corresponding  to  the  first  portion  of  grace 
received,  ye  will  habituate  yourselves  to  virtue ;  and 
God,  satisfied  with  the  noble  efforts  ye  have  made, 
will  bestow  a  plentiful  increase  of  his  divine  favors, 
which  must  necessarily  conduce  to  ultimate  perfection. 
If,  on  the  other  hand,  ye  should  be  so  unhappy  as  to 
resist,  and  make  light  of  the  divine  promptings,  God, 
who  is  jealous  of  his  gifts,  will  leave  you  to  yourselves, 
and  consequently  ye  are  exposed  to   the  danger  of 
falling  into  a  loose  and  indifferent  manner  of  life,  and 
of  dying,  perhaps,  in  a  doubtful,  if  not  a  worse  than 
doubtful,  state  of  mind.     For  let  us  not  deceive  our- 
selves by  the  hope  that  what  we  have  refused  to-day, 
will  be  again  presented  for  our  acceptance  to-morrow. 
According  to  the  opinions  of  divers  masters  of  the 
spiritual  life,  there  are  seasons  and  moments  that  God 
has  reserved  for  his  mercy,  and  which  he  has  fixed  for 
each  of  us  to  accomplish  the  designs  he  has  upon  us, 
and  which  his  grace  suggests.     How  unfortunate  then 
for  us,  if  we  are  found  wanting  at  such  a  time  !    What 
has  caused  all  the  misfortunes  and  the  reprobation  of 
the  Jewish  people  ?     Is  it  not  the  ignorance  of  the 
time  that  the  Lord  would  deign  to  visit  them  ?    There 


322  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPHRAIM. 

was  for  each  Jew  indivlduallj  one  of  those  critical 
moments,  wherein  he  Avas  at  liberty  to  recognize,  or 
not,  Jesus  for  the  Messiah.  Those  that  were  found 
wanting  at  this  moment,  afterwards  resisted  the 
greatest  miracles,  and  finished  their  want  of  corres- 
ponding to  the  moment  of  grace  bj  crucifying  Him 
as  a  blasphemer.  This  is  indeed  a  terrible  example. 
We  unhappily  meet  with  too  many  of  the  same  kind ; 
for  do  we  not  ourselves  resemble  more  or  less  the  Jews 
in  this  respect  ?  God  always  continues  in  the  same 
way  to  impart  His  graces,  but  more  especially,  to  im- 
part the  grace  of  vocation,  so  decisive  of  our  future 
lot. 

If  such  considerations  are  in  themselves  so  frightful 
to  those  who  hesitate  in  following  the  divine  impulse, 
or  put  it  ofi"  to  some  future  period,  how  much  more 
terrible  must  they  become  for  those  that,  having  com- 
menced to  walk  in  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and  in  the 
path  by  Him  marked  out  for  them,  have  the  temerity 
to  turn  back,  and  despise  his  warning  voice !  Oh ! 
if  they  would  only  remember  what  has  been  said  by 
the  holy  fathers,  and  by  Christ  himself,  concerning 
such  unworthy  conduct !  The  great  St.  Gregory  posi- 
tively asserts  that  "  the  resolution  formed  to  under- 
take a  higher  degree  of  perfection  cannot  be  abandoned 
without  crime."  How  many  examples  of  persons 
dying  miserably,  for  having  quit  their  monasteries, 
could  be  cited  !  Let  such  also  remember  and  meditate 
upon  the  thundering  words  of  the  Gospel,  "  Whoever 
puts  his  hands  to  the  plough,  and  looks  backwards,  is 
unfit  for  the  Kingdom  of  God."  Nemo  mittens 
manum  suam  ad  aratrum  et  respiciens  retro,  aptus 


LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA   EPIIRAIM.  323 

est  7'egno  Dei.  Luc  ix.  62.  "  There  is  but  one 
way,"  says  Cornelius  a  Lapide,  "there  is  but  one 
way  for  each  individual  that  leads  to  heaven.  God 
Himself  has  marked  it  out ;  it  is  plain  and  direct ;  but 
the  laborer  that  guides  the  plough,  can  never  advance 
in  a  straight  line,  if  he  have  his  face  in  a  contrary 
direction :  through  necessity,  such  a  one  must  trace  a 
line  more  or  less  oblique,  and  can  never  arrive  at  his 
proposed  mark." 

3d.  Finally,  a  word  to  those  who  have  authority 
over  persons  who  think  themselves  called  to  a  religious 
life.  Prove  these  growing  vocations  by  lawful  means ; 
in  this  you  have  the  right,  and  it  is  even  expedient  for 
the  interest  of  those  most  concerned.  Perhaps  their 
vocations  may  be  really  nothing  more  than  simple 
caprices.  If,  however,  they  still  persist  after  not  a 
few  trials,  so  as  to  convince  you  that  their  vocations 
must  come  from  God,  it  would  be  most  unreasonable 
and  most  unjust  in  you  to  oppose  yourselves  any 
longer:  your  right  does  not  extend  so  far.  Permit 
them  to  try  their  own  strength.  By  so  doing,  you 
will  act  wisely  for  many  reasons,  and  at  the  same  time 
you  risk  nothing. 

Reflect, 

1st.  That  it  would  be  a  grievous  sin  to  be  the  cause 
of  any  one's  losing  so  sublime  a  vocation  as  that  of 
dedicating  himself  wholly  to  the  worship  of  God. 

2dly.  That  in  spite  of  all  opposition  that  the  powers 
of  darkness  may  throw  in  their  way,  God  will  finally 
declare  Himself  for  them,  if  they  persist  and  be  faith- 
ful ;  and  that  he  will  arrange  all  things,  and  conduct 


324  LIFE   OF   FATHER   MARIA  EPHRAIM. 

them  insensibly  to  the  destined  end :  means  of  doing 
so  can  never  be  wanting  to  Him. 

3dly.  That  an  actual  residence  in  a  monastery  is 
the  surest  way  of  proving  whether  their  vocations 
come  of  God.  If  any  other  motive  than  that  inspired 
by  God  should  conduct  those,  for  whom  you  feel  in- 
terested, to  an  abode  of  Penance ;  to  La  Trappe,  for 
example ;  rest  assured  that  they  will  not  long  per- 
severe, and  will  be  themselves  the  first  to  sound  a 
retreat,  freed,  it  is  very  probable,  for  the  remainder 
of  their  lives,  from  their  extraordinary  ideas.  If, 
however,  they  should  chance  to  persevere  in  their 
undertaking,  they  will  by  that  very  act  exhibit  the 
best  certificate  of  the  purity  of  their  intentions.  God 
alone  is  able  to  give  sufficient  strength  and  courage 
to  sustain  the  rigid  life  of  the  anchorets  of  La  Trappe. 

4thly.  And  lastly,  reflect,  that  a  residence  of  some 
months  in  a  cloister,  and  an  attendance  upon  the 
pious  exercises  practised  there,  can  be  of  no  injury, 
whatever  be  the  state  of  life,  and  whatever  the  career 
a  person  may  be  destined  by  divine  Providence  to 
fulfil. 


AN  ABRIDGMENT  OF  THE 

LIFE  or  MOTHER  MAM  EPimATM, 

IN   THE.  WORLD 

MISS  CATHARINE  FERRER, 

RELIGIOUS  IN  THE  MONASTERY  OF  OUR  LADY  OF  ALL  CONSOLATION 
OF  LA  TRAPPE,  SISTER  OF  THE  PRECEDING. 


It  is  not  a  detailed  account  of  the  life  of  Mother  Mary 
Ephraim,  which  we  here  propose  giving,  bnt  rather  a 
supplement  to  that  which  we  have  read.  The  life  of 
Mother  Mary  Ephraim  is  so  essentially  united  to  that 
of  her  brother,  that  before  commencing  this  Notice,  the 
reader  already  knows  all  we  are  going  to  say. 

Born  under  the  same  roof,  nearly  the  same  age,  objects 
alike  of  the  tender  solicitude  of  their  parents,  the  same 
principles  instilled  into  their  minds,  destined  to  occupy  a 
certain  position  in  society,  to  which  their  education  and 
fortune  entitled  them,  disabused  of  the  vanities  of  the 
world,  and  led  by  a  divine  vocation  into  the  cloister,  where 
they  led  pure  lives,  and  both  died  the  death  of  the  just ; 
the  brother  and  the  sister  were  worthy,  in  every  respect, 
to  occupy  a  place  side  by  side,  in  this  work. 

The  good  sense  which  had  induced  Mr.  Ferrer  to  con- 
fide the  education  of  his  son  to  the  excellent  institution 
of  the  Jesuits,  inspired  him  also  to  plnce  his  daughter  in 
the  hands  of  the  venerable  ladies  of  the  Sacred  Heart. 
Every  body  is  aware  of  the  talent  of  these  worthy  in- 
structresses of  youth,  iu  forming  their  young  pupils,  and 
28  (325) 


y26  LIFE   OF   MOTHER   MARY   EPHRAIM. 

a  peculiar  tact  to  develope  in  each  of  them  the  true  prin- 
ciples of  an  enlightened  piety  and  a  true  devotion,  which 
conciliates  to  them  universal  admiration  and  esteem,  in 
their  various  positions  in  society.  We  are  happy  to  have 
tins  occasion  of  paying  them  a  public  tribute  of  well 
merited  applause. 

In  so  good  and  so  holy  a  school,  Miss  Ferrer,  other- 
wise endowed  with  the  most  happy  dispositions,  could  not 
fail  making  great  progress.  In  fact,  she  improved  rapidly 
in  piety,  science ;  acquired  skill  in  every  kind  of  needle- 
work, music,  and  painting  ;  but  what  distinguished  her 
above  all  others,  was  the  goodness  of  her  heart.  She  was 
universally  called  the  good  Catharine.  Mistresses  and 
pupils  all  loved  her,  and  sought  her  friendship.  Having 
finished  her  education,  she  once  more  returned  to  the 
bosom  of  her  family. 

Her  parents  then  resided  in  the  city,  and  were  obliged 
by  their  standing  to  see  much  of  the  world.  Catharine 
must  also  appear  ;  young,  amiable,  possessing  a  fine  form, 
and  well  raised,  she  was  a  gem,  flattered,  caressed,  sought 
for  by  all,  and  could  not  avoid  enjoying  it,  and  at  length 
could  not  exist  without  this  universal  admiration.  In 
this,  she  too  much  resembled  the  most  of  young  persons, 
who  cannot  at  first  discover  the  venom,  concealed  beneath 
deceitful  love.  In  a  short  time,  she  was  at  all  the  balls 
and  soirees.  Mr.  and  Madam  Ferrer  wondered  at  the 
success  their  daughter  had  obtained  in  the  world,  and  had 
besides  much  to  congratulate  themselves  by  reason  of  her 
tender  and  earnest  sentiments  in  their  regard.  They 
were  far  from  constraining  her,  but,  on  the  contrary,  pro- 
cured her  all  the  enjoyment  she  desired. 

Nothing,  then,  was  wanting  to  happiness,  when  God, 
jealous  of  possessing  alone  this  heart,  which  was  appa- 
rently escaping  him,  sent  her  a  most  sensible  affliction, 
by  depriving  her  of  the  deurcbt  object  of  her  affection, 


LIFE   OF    MOTHER    MARY    EPHRAIM.  327 

her  good  mother ;  tliough  young  and  full  of  liealtli, 
Madam  Ferrer  all  at  once  fell  sick,  and  died  after  a  month 
and  a  half  of  sufferings.  This  misfortune,  which  plunged 
all  the  family  in  desolation,  was  deeply  felt  by  Miss 
Catharine  ;  she  lost  a  devoted  friend,  and  a  model  of  all 
virtues.  She  could  find  no  consolation  but  at  the  foot  of 
the  altar. 

Being  returned  to  the  country,  where  she  passed  eight 
months,  she  made  serious  reflections  on  the  vanity  of  the 
world's  pleasures,  resolved  to  renounce  balls,  and  was 
determined  to  live  as  retired  as  her  rank  in  society  would 
admit. 

Heaven  had  reserved  another  trial  for  this  soul,  already 
so  much  affected,  when  her  dear  brother,  with  whom  her 
heart  was  so  closely  bound,  took  the  determination  of 
going  to  La  Trappe.  Meanwhile,  she  with  her  father  per- 
formed the  trip  to  Aiguebelle,  to  try  to  recover  him  whom 
they  could  not  determine  to  lose  without  extreme  grief. 
All  that  she  saw,  so  much  generosity,  of  which  her  brother 
gave  so  brilliant  an  example,  made  an  impression  which, 
sooner  or  later,  was  to  bear  its  fruit. 

Her  sensitive  heart  was  now  occupied  only  in  consoling 
her  father.  Those  reiterated  and  terrible  shocks  had  re- 
duced him  to  a  deplorable  state.  At  length,  to  amuse 
this  unfortunate  father  somewhat,  she  determined  to  re- 
turn to  the  city,  and  again  to  enter  into  society. 

Miss  Ferrer  was  become,  by  the  death  of  her  brother, 
heiress  of  a  large  estate,  was  often  sought  iu  marriage  by 
the  most  distinguished  in  society,  yet  she  never  was  anxious ; 
she  always  found  some  reason  to  refuse  those  who  pre- 
sented themselves.  Nevertheless,  her  father  greatly  de- 
sired this  event;  it  seemed,  perhaps,  necessary  in  her 
position.  An  establishment  was  imperiously  demanded, 
to  assuage  his  grief.  These  considerations  determined  her. 
Many  proposals  were  made,  many  alliances  projected  ;  but 


328  LIFE   OF   MOTHER   MART   EPHRAIM. 

at  the  moment  vrhcn  everything  appeared  to  be  coneludecl, 
all  at  once  some  difficulty  would  arise  to  derange  the  entire 
plan.  At  length,  a  person  presented  himself,  suitable  in 
every  respect.  They  were  perfectly  suitable  on  both  sides. 
The  arrangements  were  soon  made,  and  in  a  little  time  all 
was  concluded.  The  two  families  were  in  jubilation. 
Miss  Ferrer  was  occupied  only  at  her  toilet.  She  re- 
ceived presents  from  all  her  friends.  Her  father  forgot 
instantly  all  his  troubles,  to  add  to  her  content,  and  was 
charmed  with  the  anticipated  happiness  of  his  daughter. 
He  spared  nothing  for  his  beloved  Catharine.  Toulouse, 
Lyons,  Paris,  had  nothing  beautiful  enough  for  his  child. 
The  young  betrothed  exhibited  to  her  friends,  with  great 
complacency,  her  beautiful  dresses,  rich  diamonds,  her 
magnificent  apparel. 

In  the  life  of  Father  Ephraim,  we  have  spoken  of  the 
friendship  existing  among  the  children  of  Mr.  Ferrer,  and 
their  cousin,  Miss  Eliza  Alday,  who  had  been  as  a  third 
child  in  the  house,  on  account  of  the  fraternal  affection 
which  they  mutually  entertained,  having  always  lived  to- 
gether in  the  greatest  intimacy.  On  so  solemn  an  oc- 
casion, Miss  Catharine  did  not  fail  writing  to  her  best 
friend,  then  a  professed  religious  at  La  Trappe,  in  Lyons, 
and  communicating  her  approaching  nuptials.  Mother 
Louise,  who  preservd  for  her  all  her  ancient  friendship, 
had  made  the  most  sincere  vows  for  her  happiness,  replied, 
felicitating  her  on  the  event,  and  with  so  much  the  more 
reason,  as  she  well  knew  her  future  husband,  and  highly 
esteemed  him  for  his  many  good  qualities.  lu  her  turn, 
she  entertained  her  with  the  happiness  she  enjoyed  in  her 
position,  told  her  of  the  joy  and  the  peace  of  soul  with 
which  she  was  inebriated,  since  released  from  the  trouble, 
noise,  and  bustle  of  the  world ;  she  had  consecrated  her- 
self to  God,  in  one  of  those  privileged  houses,  where  she 
had  to  occupy  herself  but  with  her  salvation,  and  singing 


LIFE  OP'  MOTHER  MARY  EPHRAIM.      329 

the  praises  of  the  Lord.  She  added,  "  You  know  tliat 
all  is  common  among  us,  our  joys,  as  well  as  our  troubles ; 
I  have  spoken  of  you  to  my  Reverend  Mother  ;  do  not 
hasten  to  blame  my  indiscretion  ;  you  have  not  lost  much  ; 
all  that  I  have  said  has  deeply  interested  her  in  your  favor  ; 
she  wishes  you  the  enjoyment  of  great  happiness,  and  has 
had  the  kindness  to  recommend  you  to  the  prayers  of 
the  community.  We  have  commenced  for  you  a  Xovena, 
in  honor  of  Mary,  our  good  Mother  and  yours,  for  I  re- 
member that  you  have  always  had  to  her  a  particular  and 
tender  devotion.  Every  day  during  the  Novena,  we  will 
sing  especially  for  you  the  Salve  Regiua,  our  favorite 
prayer ;  endeavor  to  unite  with  us.  With  what  fervor 
will  I  not  pray  for  my  good  Catharine  !  Can  she,  in  a  way 
so  opposite,  find  herself  as  happy  as  her  cousin  ?" 

This  letter  produced  an  extraordinary  effect  on  Miss 
Ferrer ;  she  read  it,  and  reread  it  a  thousand  times  ;  she 
could  not  take  her  eyes  from  it,  nor  divert  her  mind 
from  the  ideas  to  which  it  gave  rise.  There  is  thy  cousin, 
said  she,  enchanted.  She  has  chosen  the  better  part ;  her 
joy  is  very  pure,  and  thou — what  will  become  of  thee  ? 
Wilt  thou  find  thy  happiness  in  an  establishment  for  which 
thou  art  making  the  most  brilliant  preparations  ?  After 
some  days  have  sweetly  glided  by,  thy  cousin  will  behold 
her  last  hour  approaching  without  alarm;  on  the  contrary, 
she  will  hail  it  with  confidence,  and  consider  it  a  happy 
deliverance.  But  thou — in  the  midst  of  the  tumult  of  the 
world,  in  the  hurry  and  dangers  of  the  married  state,  wilt 
thou  only  have  the  leisure  to  anticipate  this  moment ;  wUl 
not  death  surprise  thee,  without  being  at  all  prepared  ? 

Such  were  the  thoughts  which  agitated  the  mind  and 
yet  more  the  heart  of  Miss  Catharine  ;  she  became  all  at 
once  pensive,  even  serious.  Those  who  approached  her, 
remarked  the  absence  of  that  gayety,  and  air  of  jubilation, 
which  formed  the  distinguishing  marks  of  her  habitual 
28* 


330      LIFE  OF  MOTHER  MARY  EPHRAIM. 

character,  but  they  attributed  the  cause  to  a  preoccupation 
inseparable  from  the  grave  position  in  wliich  slie  was 
placed,  for  on  the  eve  of  an  engagement  as  important  as 
that  of  marriage,  young  persons,  even  the  most  volatile, 
cannot  prevent  the  most  serious  reflections  from  arising 
in  their  minds. 

Meantime,  the  preparations  for  the  feast  went  forward 
without  any  relaxation  ;  this  day,  which  many  desire  so 
ardently,  was  soon  to  arrive  :  yet  one  week,  and  Miss 
Ferrer  was  to  be  bound  and  tied  forever.  But  God,  who 
sports  with  the  projects  of  men,  and  holds  their  hearts  in 
his  hands,  looked  with  pity  on  all  these  preparations  for  a 
wedding  which  was  to  be  celebrated.  In  a  moment  he 
changed  the  heart  of  the  betrothed.  To  the  impressions 
to  which  the  letter  of  her  cousin  had  given  rise,  were 
joined  others,  which  had  formerly  deeply  affected  her. 
Her  cousin,  her  brother,  had  entered  La  Trappe  ;  all  that 
she  had  seen  and  experienced,  in  her  journey  to  Aigue- 
belle,  so  many  texts  which  had  furnished  her  matter  for 
useful  and  entertaining  reflections  ;  in  fine,  in  a  moment  of 
pious  recollection,  she  seemed  to  hear  the  voice  of  her 
dear  brother,  from  the  highest  heaven,  where  she  thought 
she  beheld  him  inviting  her  to  follow  his  example,  and  to 
partake  of  his  crown.  This  call  she  could  not  resist,  and 
felt  disposed  to  make  all  the  sacrifices.  But  how  could 
she  speak  to  her  father  of  an  event  which  would  not  fail 
to  affect  him  deeply,  and  by  which  even,  at  first,  his  life 
might  be  endangered  ?  How  could  she  have  the  moral 
courage  to  open  again  those  deep  wounds  which  were  as 
yet  scarcely  cicatrized,  and  add  others  to  them  yet  more 
painful  ?  On  the  other  hand,  how  could  she  retract  her 
word,  so  freely  given,  and  so  graciously  accepted?  But 
what  would  be  impossible  to  the  weakness  of  man,  became 
easy,  when  joined  with  the  grace  of  God. 

Three  hearts  had  been  so  united,  that  they  appeared  to 


LIFE   OF   MOTHER    MARY   EPIIRAIM.  331 

make  but  one ;  the  queen  of  Citeaux  had  ah-cady  ravished 
two  of  them,  the  third  must  necessarily  become  her 
conquest.  Besides,  had  not  Father  Ephraim  written  that 
his  cousin  and  sister  were  not  made  for  this  world,  and 
that  successively  God  would  call  them  to  a  religious  life  ? 
Had  he  not  also  written  that  his  entrance  into  religion 
would  be  a  blessing  for  his  family,  and  a  sign  of  predesti- 
nation for  all  his  relations ;  in  fine,  in  his  last  letter,  had 
he  not  said,  that  he  occupied  himself  particularly  about 
the  future  life  of  his  sister  ?  This  is  the  time  in  which  a 
part  of  this  foreknowledge  was  to  be  accomplished. 

Miss  Catharine  armed  herself  with  courage  ;  she  humbly 
prayed  the  Lord  to  give  it  to  her ;  she  committed  this 
affair  to  the  protection  of  her  who  never  forsakes  the 
confiding  soul,  who  has  recourse  to  her  high  protection, 
to  the  divine  Mary.  Provided  with  these  holy  precau- 
tions, she  went  to  her  father,  declared  to  him,  without 
any  disguise,  her  resolution  to  renounce  marriage,  and 
have  no  spouse  but  Jesus  Christ.  She  added,  that  an 
interior  voice  called  her  to  follow  the  path  marked  out  by 
her  brother  and  her  cousin,  and  that  it  was  impossible  for 
her  not  to  do  so. 

This  tender  and  unfortunate  father  was  overwhelmed 
by  a  declaration  so  unforeseen  ;  he  remained  during  some 
moments  confounded,  as  if  annihilated  by  grief;  having 
recovered  a  little  from  his  astonishment,  he  cast  a  severe 
look  on  his  daughter,  saying  :  "  Dost  thou  believe  I  have 
a  face  that  cannot  blush  ?  I  have  given  my  word  ;  thou 
hast  also  engaged  thyself;  is  it  possible  that  thou  canst 
withdraw  thy  word  ?  And  then,  my  child  !". .  .  He  was 
silent  some  time;  liis  emotion  prevented  him  from  con- 
tinuing. .  .  "Thou  too  !  thou  wishest  to  break  my  heart! 
Why  have  I  outlived  her  who  was  thy  mother,  but  to 
be  unhappy  in  this  world ;  and  it  is  my  own  children,  those 
who  naturally  ^ought  to  dry  up  my  tears,  who  give  me  the 


332  LIFE   OF    MOTHER    MARY   EPHRAIM. 

most  severe  strokes !  My  dear  Catharine,  there  only 
remains  to  rae,  now,  you  to  console  me,  and  thou  too 
wishest  to  leave  me."  The  good  Miss  Ferrer  could  not 
hold  out  against  so  much  tenderness,  and  so  much  deso- 
lation ;  her  own  heart  was  almost  bursting ;  she  left  her 
father  for  an  instant,  and  went  directly  to  cast  herself  at 
the  foot  of  an  altar  dedicated  to  the  Holy  Virgin,  where, 
placing  herself  in  prayer  before  her  image,  she  entreated 
her  with  tears,  that  if  her  determination  came  from  God, 
she  would  watch  over  the  disposition  of  every  event,  and 
facilitate  the  means  of  accomplishing  his  holy  will.  It  is 
not  in  vain  that  Mary  is  called  the  sure  refuge  of  those 
who  invoke  her  with  confidence.  Miss  Catharine  soon 
felt  encouraged  and  fortified  in  her  vocation  ;  she  returned 
to  her  father  ;  entreaties,  tender  supplications,  prayers, 
and  tears,  were  all  made  use  of,  to  move  his  heart,  and 
obtain  the  consent  for  which  she  asked. 

Mr.  Ferrer  was  soon  convinced  that  his  daughter  was 
immovable ;  and  that  all  that  he  could  say  to  deter  her 
from  her  design,  served  but  to  strengthen  her  the  more 
in  it.  For  some  time  he  gave  a  free  course  to  his  tears, 
then  in  a  voice  interrupted  by  sighs,  he  held  this  language 
with  his  dear  Catharine.  "  Thou  knowest  that  I  have  done 
everything  to  contribute  to  thy  happiness.  God  is  my 
witness,  that  I  have  neglected  nothing.  At  present  I 
only  expect  some  consolation  from  thee.  Thou  placest 
thy  happiness  in  leaving  me.  Well,  then  !  pursue  thy 
project.  If  I  forced  thee  to  accept  a  match  where  every- 
thing seems  arranged  to  render  thee  happy,  and  thou 
wouldst  not  find  contentment  in  it,  I  would  die  of  grief. 
Thou  hast  the  conviction  that  God  calls  thee  to  La 
Trappe,  and  thinkest  thou  wouldst  not  be  happy  else- 
where. God  preserve  me  from  opposing  the  designs  he 
has  over  thee.  I  well  know  that  thy  absence  will  cost  me 
my  life.     It  matters  not;  I  would  not  retain  you;  my 


LIFE  OP  MOTHER  MARY  EPHRAIM.      333 

heart  is  broken  by  the  sacriHccs  I  have  made,  but  thia 
which  thon  forcest  from  inc  now  is  the  most  sensible  of 
all,  becanse  in  thee  are  concentrated  all  my  affections  and 
all  my  hopes.  Go !  but  remember  thou  leavest  thy 
father  in  desolation  !"  Mr.  Ferrer  has  since  declared 
that  an  irresistible  power  forced  this  consent  from  him, 
in  spite  of  himself. 

During  these  painful  debates  between  the  father  and  the 
daughtei',  the  day  agreed  on  for  the  celebration  of  the 
marriage  was  approaching  :  the  next  day  the  civil  con- 
tract was  to  take  place,  and  on  the  following  night  the 
ceremonies  of  the  church.  She  must  necessarily  hasten 
in  the  accomplishment  of  her  plan.  And,  indeed,  Miss 
Ferrer  lost  no  time.  Scarcely  had  she  obtained  the  con- 
sent of  her  father,  in  the  manner  which  we  have  related 
above,  than  she  was  relieved  of  all  embarrassment,  took  a 
few  moments  to  write  to  her  intended,  thanked  him  for 
having  thought  on  her,  asked  his  pardon  for  all  he  would 
suffer  from  this  her  present  step,  and,  accompanied  by  a 
lady  of  confidence,  she  left  Perpignan,  to  repair  to  La 
Trappe,  in  Lyons. 

Let  us  verify  here,  in  passing,  one  of  those  prodigies 
which  grace  operates  sometimes  in  the  hearts  of  those 
that  it  wishes  to  possess  without  division.  Ilere  is  a 
young  lady,  an  only  child,  the  idol  of  her  father,  sur- 
rounded by  the  love  of  all  those  who  knew  her,  caressed, 
welcomed  by  everybody ;  at  the  most  seducing  epoch  of 
life,  at  the  moment  of  contracting  an  honorable  alliance, 
in  which  everything  seemed  to  promise  a  most  brilliant 
and  prosperous  future  ;  all  at  once,  forgetting  the  weak- 
ness of  her  sex,  she  clothed  herself  with  superhuman 
courage,  and  by  one  of  those  sacrifices  which  God  alone 
can  inspire,  she  left  her  parents,  friends,  fortune,  honors, 
pleasures,  to  go  almost  alone,  a  hundred  leagues  distaut, 
to  embrace  a  poor,  obscure,  and  peuitcutial  life.  .  ,  Who 


33i      LIFE  OF  MOTHER  MARY  EPHRAIM. 

would  not  exclaim  with  the  great  Apostle,  "  0  holy  folly 
of  the  cross,  what  wonders  dost  thou  not  perform  1" 

Catharine !  your  sacrifice  is  great,  according  to  the 
thoughts  of  the  world,  but  the  recompense  that  God  re- 
serves for  you  is  yet  greater:  you  abandon  perishable 
goods,  and  you  assure  to  yourself  a  reward  which  will 
never  end :  you  separate  yourself  from  a  father  whom  you 
tenderly  love,  but  your  sacrifice  which  you  offer  for  him, 
as  well  as  for  yourself,  will  obtain  heaven  for  you  both, 
where  you  will  be  reunited,  never  again  to  be  separated. 
All  your  goods,  and  all  the  advantages  which  you  have 
renounced,  will  be  restored  to  you  a  hundred  fold.  A 
heart  so  sensible  in  its  affections  could  not  be  indifferent 
to  the  love  which  creatures  lavished  upon  it,  but  this  love 
is  often  deceitful  and  changeable ;  God,  who  is  generous, 
will  indemnify  you ;  he  will  inundate  your  heart  with 
divine  charity  ;  he  will  infuse  into  it  that  peace  which  sur- 
passes the  imagination,  and,  already  in  this  world,  you 
will  be  initiated  in  the  ravishing  secrets  of  pure  delights, 
which  will  constitute  your  joy  in  the  holy  solitude  you 
have  chosen,  whilst  in  expectation  of  entering  into  the 
possession  of  an  eternal  felicity. 

Being  arrived  at  Lyons,  Miss  Ferrer  had  no  curiosity 
to  go  through  the  city,  which  she  beheld  for  the  first 
time,  but  as  soon  as  she  was  informed  in  what  direction 
lay  the  faubourg  of  Vaise,  in  which  her  dear  La  Trappe 
is  situated,  without  even  taking  any  nourishment,  she 
hastened  to  repair  to  that  spot  in  which  her  soul  already 
dwelled. 

Her  heart  beat  high,  when  before  the  door  of  that 
asylum  after  which  she  sighed.  She  could  not  help  ex- 
periencing a  sweet  emotion,  in  passing  over  the  threshold 
of  this  sanctuary  of  peace  and  of  happiness.  She  re- 
quested to  speak  to  the  Mother  Superior.  She  was  con- 
ducted  to  the   parlor.     On   the   arrival  of  the   Mother 


LIFE   OP   MOTUER   MARY    EPHRAIM.  335 

Superior,  Miss  Ferrer  announced  herself  in  these  terms  : 
You  see  at  your  feet,  the  sister  of  Father  Maria  Ephraim  ; 
she  comes  to  entreat  you  earnestly,  to  do  her  the  favor  of 
admitting  her  among  the  number  of  your  daughters.  The 
Reverend  Mother,  who  knew  Miss  Ferrer  already,  by  the 
letters  which  she  had  written  to  her  cousin,  and  by  all 
that  this  cousin  had  said  of  her,  received  her  with  that 
kindness  for  which  she  has  been  remarkable  by  all  who 
have  treated  with  her,  for  she  has  the  rare  gift  of  gain- 
ing all  hearts,  and  constitutes  the  happiness  of  all  the 
religious  who  live  under  her  direction. 

From  the  first  entertainment,  the  Reverend  Mother 
discovered  the  wonders  of  grace,  and  the  work  of  God 
very  manifest  in  a  vocation  so  sudden  and  so  extraordi- 
nary ;  and  from  the  dispositions  which  this  young  neophyte 
brought,  she  did  not  doubt  but  that  the  future  would  be 
equally  happy  ;  hence  she  was  eager  to  open  for  her  the 
door  of  the  monastery.  She  opened  to  her,  at  the  same 
time,  her  arms  and  her  heart,  ller  first  care,  in  receiving 
this  sheep  that  the  Divine  Shepherd  sent  into  her  sheep- 
fold,  was  to  conduct  her  to  the  feet  of  Mary,  to  place  her 
under  the  protection  of  this  good  Mother,  as  she  was 
accustomed  in  regard  of  all  those  whom  she  admitted. 
This  was  to  serve  Miss  Catharine  according  to  her  incli- 
nations ;  it  is  to  this  glorious  Queen  that  she  believed 
herself  indebted  for  the  triumph  of  her  vocation  ;  she  had 
to  acquit  herself  of  a  debt  of  gratitude,  and  then  she  had 
so  many  graces  to  ask  to  fix  herself  in  her  new  state  of 
life,  and  afterwards  to  persevere  in  it. 

Once  in  the  monastery,  she  was  soon  in  the  land  of  her 
acquaintances.  She  again  folded  to  her  bosom  her  best 
friend,  her  good  cousin,  she  who  had  so  powerfully 
seconded  the  operations  of  grace  in  her  soul,  and  whose 
pious  examples  were  to  assist  her  greatly  in  assuming 
the  customs  and  practices  of  the  house,  iii  her  now  state 


336  LIFE   OF   MOTHER    MARY   EPHRAIM. 

of  life.  Besides,  it  required  but  little  time  for  her  excel- 
lent heart  to  sympathize  with  the  hearts  of  the  well  raised 
persons  with  whom  she  was  to  live.  In  a  few  days  she 
was  perfectly  at  her  ease ;  she  even  had  some  difficulty  to 
restrain  her  joy.  In  her  entertainments  with  the  Mistress 
of  Xovices,  she  said  to  her,  "  How  is  it  possible  for  me 
not  to  be  happy  here  ?  I  have  lost  my  mother,  whom  I  so 
much  loved  !  and  I  have  had  the  happiness  to  find  her 
again  in  my  Reverend  Mother,  with  all  the  kindness,  and 
all  the  tenderness  of  her  for  whom  I  have  wept  so  much. 
I  have  always  desired  to  have  a  sister,  and  God  has  here 
given  me  a  great  number,  who  all  entertain  for  me  a  ten- 
der charity  ;  and  prevent  all  my  desires.  Never  have  I 
been,  in  the  world,  the  object  of  so  much  cordiality.  I  am 
too  happy  to  be  in  this  blessed  abode,  notwithstanding  I 
am  so  unworthy  of  it.  How  could  I  regret  the  world  ? 
Ah !  if  my  beloved  father  were  as  happy  as  I,  then  I 
should  have  nothing  to  regret !" 

And,  indeed,  she  was  not  long  in  altogether  forgetting 
the  world,  and  all  that  she  had  left ;  her  whole  concern 
was  the  acquisition  of  the  monastic  virtues,  and,  in  a  short 
time,  she  made  in  them  wonderful  progress.  After  the 
time  required  for  her  probation,  she  received  the  holy 
habit.  Now  was  witnessed  a  combat  of  virtue  w^hich 
plainly  told  how  deeply  rooted  was  the  humility  of  this 
heart,  initiated  for  so  short  a  time  in  the  ways  of  evan- 
gelical perfection.  When  it  was  a  question  of  selecting 
her  religious  name,  the  Reverend  Mother  wished,  on 
account  of  the  tender  friendship  which  she  had  constantly 
entertained  for  her  brother,  and  for  the  merited  venera- 
tion she  bore  his  memory,  that  she  should  take  the  name 
of  Mary  Ephraim.  "How!"  exclaimed  Miss  Ferrer, 
"  the  name  of  my  brother  !  Oh,  my  Reverend  Mother, 
that  cannot  be ;  I  am  unworthy  of  it ;  my  brother  was  a 
saint,  and  I, 1  am  a  sinner."    It  became  necessary 


LIFE   OF   MOTHER   MARY   EPHRAIM.  837 

to  use  authority,  and  to  invoke  holy  obedience,  to  influ- 
ence her  submission. 

When  she  accepted  the  sweet  name  of  her  venerated 
brother,  Sister  Mary  Ephraim  believed  herself  strictly 
obliged  to  walk  in  his  footsteps,  and  to  make  apparent 
jn  her  own  conduct  all  that  she  had  learned  of  his  fervor 
and  regularity.  When  the  Reverend  Father  Dom  Orsise, 
Abbot  of  Aiguebelle,  was  going,  according  to  custom,  to 
the  General  Chapter,  he  stopped  with  the  dear,  holy  Sis- 
ters at  Lyons,  and  there  saw  the  young  novice.  She  pro- 
posed an  innumerable  number  of  questions  about  her 
brother,  to  know  how  he  had  arrived  so  soon  at  so 
high  a  degree  of  religious  perfection,  and  as  she  wished  to 
form  herself  exactly  on  this  model,  she  asked  of  him  the 
most  minute  circumstance.  Thus,  in  practice,  it  was  suf- 
ficient that  she  knew  Father  Maria  Ephraim  did  it  in 
such  or  such  a  manner,  and  for  the  future,  without  any 
hesitation,  she  immediately  conformed. 

We  will  now  say  a  word  of  the  humility  of  Sister 
Mary  Ephraim.  On  this  solid  foundation  she  soon 
erected  this  spiritual  edifice,  composed  of  all  the  religious 
virtues,  which  made  her  in  a  very  short  time  a  fervent 
Trappistine,  and  gave  to  her,  as  well  as  her  brother,  a 
maturity  precocious  for  heaven. 

The  motive  which  she  constantly  proposed  to  herself, 
was  not  to  give  herself  to  God  by  halves,  but  entirely  and 
unreservedly.  Though  her  sacrifice  was  not  yet  perfect, 
she  had  the  confidence  that  the  Lord  would  receive  it. 
It  was  this  which  established  her  in  a  permanent  state  of 
amiable  serenity,  which  greatly  edified  her  sisters,  who 
have  acknowledged  that  it  was  sufiBcient  for  thom  to  look 
at  her,  to  feel  encouraged,  A  smile  was  always  on  her 
lips,  and  a  holy  joy  was  continually  painted  on  her  coun- 
tenance. She  did  not  yield  to  any  other  in  regularity. 
Ordinarily,  she  was  the  first  to  repair  to  every  exercise. 
29 


338  LIFE    OF   MOTHER   MARY   EPHRAIM. 

Naturally  she  loved  to  sing ;  she  took  great  delight  in  the 
Divine  Office,  and  being  a  good  musician,  having  a  fine 
ear,  and  an  excellent  voice,  she  was  ravished  thus  to  con- 
secrate to  the  Lord  the  talent  he  had  confided  to  her. 

Attentive  to  mortify  herself  in  everything,  the  lowest 
and  the  most  painful  occupations  were  those  which  she 
chose  in  preference  to  all  others,  every  time  that  obedience 
did  not  oppose  it ;  the  coarsest  clothing  and  those  which 
were  the  most  mended  were  the  object  of  her  desires. 
Her  Sisters  were  softened  even  to  tears,  when  they  saw 
her  abase  and  humble  herself  on  every  occasion,  remem- 
bering her  present  state  of  abjection  and  what  she  had 
been  in  the  world ;  to  hear  her  accuse  herself  at  chapter,  and 
say  that  she  was  good  for  nothing,  whereas  her  Superiors 
had  but  one  occupation  in  her  regard,  which  was  to 
moderate  her  zeal,  which  would  infallibly  have  carried  her 
too  far. 

She  appeared  entirely  dead  to  herself.  In  the  world 
she  had  followed  the  example  of  too  many  young  persons, 
who  seemed  to  make  an  idol  of  their  bodies  ;  she  had  loved 
her  toilet;  her  hair,  above  all,  had  been  an  object  of  her 
vanity,  which  had  caused  many  a  quarrel  between  her- 
self and  maid,  who,  in  combing,  would  sometimes  pull 
out  some  hair.  As  soon  as  she  was  in  religion,  she 
applied  herself  to  make  her  body  expiate  all  her  former 
sensualities.  Her  hair,  in  particular,  she  did  not  once 
touch,  during  the  whole  time  she  was  a  postulant,  and 
which  lasted  three  months,  thus  wishing  to  punish  herself 
by  the  same  occasions  which  she  had  formerly  made  use 
of  to  offend  God,  and  when  she  took  the  holy  habit,  she 
wished  to  Ifftrn  this  hair  herself,  which  she  did  with  an 
appearance  of  extraordinary  })leasure.  She  also  desired 
that  those  beautiful  silk  robes  which  had  been  destined 
to  adorn  her  body,  be  consecrated  to  the  ornament  of 
the  altars ;  and  accordingly  wrote  to  her  father  of  it,  who 


LIFE    OF   MOTHER   MARY   EPHRAIM.  339 

wished  to  second  the  pious  desires  of  his  daughter,  and 
sent  them  to  her.  The  magnificent  crown  which  was  to 
answer  for  her  marriage  she  herself  placed  on  the  statue 
of  her  good  mother,  the  most  blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

But  gold,  however  pure  it  may  be,  has  need  of  passing 
through  the  fire  to  be  purified  yet  more,  and  virtue  can 
never  be  perfect  until  it  has  passed  through  the  crucible 
of  trials.  This  general  rule  in  the  economy  of  a  spiritual 
life  was  not  to  have  an  exception  in  Sister  Mary  Ephraim. 
Her  uncle,  the  same  who  went  to  Aiguebelle  to  trouble 
her  brother  in  his  vocation,  determined  likewise  to  go  to 
Lyons  to  obstruct  the  vocation  of  the  sister.  He  made 
use  of  very  nearly  the  same  means,  and  spared  not  the 
epithets  of  giddiness,  of  caprice,  of  hardheartedness,  and  of 
ingratitude.  After  the  example  of  this  well  beloved 
brother,  whom  she  in  this,  as  in  everything  else,  took  for 
her  constant  model,  she  excused  the  severe  and  possibly 
indiscreet  zeal  of  her  uncle,  and  replied,  with  much  sweet- 
ness, that  she  had  always  borne  great  affection  to  all  her 
relations,  and  especially  to  her  excellent  father,  but  that 
the  voice  of  God  was  stronger  than  that  of  nature,  and 
that  it  was  impossible  for  her  not  to  go  on  with  the  state 
of  life  which  she  had  embraced. 

Her  uncle  had  loudly  protested  that  it  was  not  his  in- 
tention to  oppose  her  designs,  if  they  truly  came  from 
God,  but  that  he  only  wished  to  take  her  for  three  months, 
to  her  aunt  in  Paris,  where  she  could  try  it  at  leisure, 
promising  to  leave  her  at  full  liberty,  if  she  persisted  in 
her  present  determination.  But  Sister  Mary  Ephraim 
remained  unshaken,  and  her  uncle  was  obliged  to  depart 
alone,  admiring  in  his  young  niece  a  dcvotcdHess  which 
he  had  not  the  courage  to  approve. 

Mr.  Ferrer,  who  reproached  himself  with  having  some- 
what ill  treated  his  son  in  this  respect,  could  not  withhold 
himself  from  visiting  his  only  daughter,  and  now  his  only 


340  LIFE   OF   MOTHEll   MARY    EPHRAIM. 

child.  His  aiFections  were  no  longer  bound  to  Perpig- 
nan  by  any  dearer  object.  Accordingly,  he  went  to  pass 
some  days  at  Lyons,  near  his  beloved  daughter;  and  when 
he  saw  her  so  gay,  so  well  looking  and  so  happy,  he  was 
consoled,  and  wished  to  fix  his  permanent  dwelling  in  the 
environs,  to  enjoy  himself  some  portion  of  his  dear  child's 
happiness,  but  his  affairs  recalled  him  to  Perpignan.  But 
now  he  would  not  leave  these  parts,  without  going  to 
Aiguebelle,  to  salute  only  in  passing  the  venerated  re- 
mains of  his  blessed  son,  shed  some  tears  over  his  grave, 
and  recommend  himself  to  his  prayers,  for  he  did  not 
doubt  but  that  he  was  already  enjoying  the  beatitude  of 
the  blessed.  He  there  passed  eight  or  ten  days,  and 
wished  to  bathe  himself  again  in  the  exercises  of  a  spiritual 
retreat,  which  did  him  much  good.  If  he  had  ever  enter- 
tained any  rancor  against  La  Trappe,  he  now  sincerely 
disposed  of  it,  and  departed  so  well  reconciled,  that  he 
promised  that  this  should  not  be  the  last  trip  he  would 
pay  to  this  dwelling,  where  they  so  religiously  preserved 
a  deposit  so  precious  for  him,  and  for  all  the  inmates  of 
Aiguebelle. 

But  Heaven  soon  changed  the  face  of  things,  for  those 
the  most  nearly  concerned.  Sister  Mary  Ephraira  did 
not  doubt  but  that  it  was  the  prayers  of  her  brother,  to 
which  she  was  indebted  for  her  religious  vocation ;  had 
recourse  to  him  by  fervent  prayer  to  aid  her  in  the  acquisi- 
tion of  the  perfection  of  her  state ;  in  fine,  we  are  per- 
mitted to  believe  that  it  was  also  to  the  intercession  of 
the  same,  which  drew,  in  a  short  time,  this  devoted  soul 
into  the  Holy  City.  God  seemed  to  hasten  this  reunion, 
in  the  centte  of  his  charity,  of  two  hearts  which  had  been 
inseparably  united ;  he  wished  to  recompense  such  gen- 
erous sacrifices,  and  to  draw  to  himself  in  glory  her  of 
whom  the  earth  was  not  worthy. 

For  a  long  time,  Sister  Mary  Ephraim  bore  within  her- 


LIFE   OF    MOTHER    MARY   EPIIRAIM.  341 

self  the  disease  which  was  incessantly  conducting  her  to 
the  tomb,  and  which  she  endured  without  a  complaint. 
To  witness  her  unvarying  character,  and  smiling  air,  it 
was  difficult  to  discover  any  symptom  of  sickness.  All 
the  community  were  for  a  long  time  mistaken.  The 
Reverend  Mother,  whose  eye  was  ever  attentive  to  the 
least  wants  of  her  sisters,  was  the  first  to  perceive  some 
alteration  in  the  features  of  her  beloved  Sister  Mary  Eph- 
raim  ;  her  physiognomy  appeared  to  undergo  some  change. 
She  requested  to  know  the  cause ;  Sister  Ephraim  replied, 
that  she  was  not  sick,  that  she  did  not  suffer.  The  Rev- 
erend Mother  did  not  rely  upon  this,  and  called  in  a 
physician,  who  received  from  her  the  same  reply.  The  de- 
termined inclination  which  she  had  for  her  state,  prevented 
her  feeling  the  disease,  and  she  was  so  much  attracted  to 
mortification,  that  she  considered  her  sufi'erings  as  a  very 
light  affair,  which  she  believed  were  not  worth  speaking  of. 

Without  regarding  her  repugnances,  they  sent  her  to 
the  infirmary,  but  they  soon  had  the  grief  to  see  that  the 
evil  had  made  such  progress,  that  they  had  but  little  hope 
of  arresting  it.  All  imaginable  remedies  were  resorted  to  ; 
the  most  assiduous  care  was  useless,  and  seemed  only  to 
augment  its  violence. 

But  it  was  during  this  illness  that  the  virtues  of  Sister 
Mary  Ephraim  shone  with  more  brilliant  lustre.  In  the 
midst  of  the  keenest  sufi'erings,  she  preserved  an  admirable 
patience  ;  her  content,  even  her  gayety  were  ever  the  same  ; 
she  never  failed  to  thank  the  sisters  in  the  infirmary  for 
the  smallest  services  which  they  rendered  her,  and  did  it 
with  a  touching  kindness,  and  always  a  sweet  smile,  re- 
gretting continually  that  she  was  an  object  of  so  much  so- 
licitude. Even  in  the  world,  and  in  the  midst  of  the 
greatest  dissipation,  Sister  Mary  Ephraim  knew  not  how 
to  protect  herself  against  certain  scruples,  which  had  more 
or  less  exercised  her  in  many  circumstances ;  since  her 
29* 


342  LIFE   OF    MOTHER    MARY    EPIIRAIM. 

entrance  into  religion,  this  terrible  temptation  had  given 
her  many  an  assault,  but  during  her  sickness,  she  had  the 
consolation  to  see  it  disappear  altogether ;  and  she  enjoyed 
even  to  the  last  moment,  great  tranquillity  of  soul,  and  au 
unalterable  peace. 

Her  novitiate  was  not  yet  terminated,  but  by  a  dispen- 
sation which  the  court  of  Rome  was  willing  to  grant  in 
similar  cases,  the  Reverend  Mother  proposed  to  her  to 
make  her  vows,  observing  that  it  was  difficult  to  foresee  the 
issue  of  her  illness.  Sister  Mary  Ephraim  replied,  that 
she  would  be  at  the  height  of  her  desires  if  they  would 
grant  her  this  favor,  and  that  all  her  ambition  was  to  die 
a  spouse  of  Jesus  Christ.  The  day  fixed  for  the  ceremony 
being  arrived,  slie  pronounced  her  vows  in  the  hands  of 
the  Reverend  Mother,  and  in  presence  of  the  whole  com- 
munity, who  surrounded  her  bed  of  death  ;  all  were  moved, 
even  to  tears.  She  received  at  the  same  time  the  sacra- 
ments of  Extreme  Unction  and  the  Holy  Viaticum,  and  a 
few  days  after,  she  slept  peacefully  in  the  Lord. 

This  generous  virgin  had  already  established  among  her 
sisters  a  great  reputation  for  sanctity,  and  as  soon  as  her 
soul  had  passed  to  a  better  life,  they  threw  themselves  upon 
her  remains,  and  wished  to  preserve  something  which  had 
belonged  to  her,  as  relics.  Some  took  her  hair,  others 
distributed  among  themselves  her  medals  ;  many  cut  pieces 
of  her  dress ;  but  her  virtues,  above  all,  remained  profoundly 
engraven  in  the  hearts  of  her  companions,  and  long  will 
her  memory  be  held  in  benediction  by  the  inmates  of  her 
monastery. 

In  running  over  this  short  abridgment,  the  reader  is 
convinced  of  the  truth  of  our  announcement  in  the  be- 
ginning, to  wit,  that  the  lives  of  these  two  were  insepar- 
able, and  if  that  of  the  brother  has  been  an  accomplished 
model,  that  of  the  sister  has  been,  in  every  respect,  a  most 
perfect  copy. 


LIFE    OF  MOTHER    MARY    EPHRAIM,  343 

We  will  now  finish  with  a  moral  reflection.  After  having 
corabined  all  that  we  have  read,  who  is  there  who,  trans- 
porting himself  to  the  death  of  these  two  generous  cham- 
pions of  abnegation  and  of  penance,  can  help  experiencing 
a  portion  of  envy  ?  Is  it  not  true,  that  he  himself  must 
arrive  at  that  fatal  moment,  which  we  are  all  so  rapidly 
approaching  ?  Who  would  not  prefer  to  give  his  last 
sigh  on  the  hard  couch  of  the  poor  Trappist,  if  mingled 
with  the  consolations  which  inundate  their  souls,  rather 
than  in  superb  palaces,  and  on  magnificent  beds,  but  where 
the  past,  the  present,  and  the  future,  seem  to  be  leagued 
but  for  the  desolation  of  the  poor  dying  Christian  ? 

The  Father  and  the  Mother  Mary  Ephraim  bore  within 
themselves  the  germ  of  the  disease  which  conducted  them 
prematurely  to  the  grave ;  perhaps,  with  the  care  which 
they  would  have  found  out  of  the  cloister,  they  would  have 
prolonged  their  existence  many  years  in  this  world.  But 
had  they  lived  a  long  time,  what  advantage  would  they 
have  derived  from  it  ?  What  is  the  life  of  man  upon  earth  ? 
The  wise  man  replies  to  this  saying,  "A, vapor,  which 
appears,  and  immediately  disappears."  What  is  the 
longest  life  when  it  is  at  its  close  ?  "  It  is  but  as  yesterday, 
which  is  past,  and  of  which  we  preserve  only  a  vague  re- 
membrance." Is  it  presumable,  that,  after  having  passed 
their  lives  in  the  delights  which  appeared  reserved  for 
them,  they  would  have  obtained  that  superabounding  peace 
which  marked  their  last  moments,  and  that  holy  joy  which 
had  been  for  them  a  foretaste  of  those  torrents  of  pure 
delights  into  which  they  were  going  to  be  introduced 
forever  ? 

Oh !  how  true  are  those  beautiful  words  of  St.  Basil  the 
Great,  in  his  eulogy  on  a  solitary  life  I  "  Solitude,"  says 
he,  "is  that  happy  commerce  wherein  they  exchange  earth 
for  heaven,  time  for  eternity,  the  land  of  death  for  the  land 
of  the  living,  goods  of  no  value  for  those  of  an  inestimable 


344  LIFE    or    MOTHER    MARY    EPHRAIM. 

price,  and  passing  troubles  for  happiness  without  end."  0 
blessed  solitude !  those  only  who  enjoy  the  repose  and 
sweetness  which  thou  givest,  can  comprehend  how  much 
thou  meritest  to  be  praised. 

One  woi'd  more  for  you,  oh  venerable  and  most 
happy  head  of  this  predestinated  family.  Your  paternal 
affections  have  been  rudely  torn,  your  entire  existence  has 
experienced  the  most  violent  shocks,  occasioned  by  the 
innumerable  and  great  sacrifices  which  God  required  from 
you  in  the  course  of  your  life ;  but,  be  assured  that  the 
Lord  has  permitted  you  to  outlive  them  but  to  assist  at 
their  triumph.  What  need,  then,  of  addressing  you  words 
of  consolation  1  So  like  the  unfortunate  Job,  in  the  subject 
of  your  affliction,  we  know  also  that  you  have  had  the 
patience  of  this  just  man ;  and,  after  the  example  of  this 
holy  Patriarch,  you  have  given  all  to  the  holy  will  of  Him 
who  afflicts  us  but  for  our  good.  You  have  always  had 
a  lively  faith  ;  you  have  been  constantly  familiarized  with 
the  holy  practices  of  the  religion  of  your  fathers,  and  hence 
you  have  no  difficulty  to  understand  and  appreciate  that 
grandeur  of  soul  in  the  devotedness  of  your  children,  since 
your  faith  and  your  virtue  have  received  a  new  increase, 
in  consequence  of  their  intercession.  From  this  channel 
flows  unto  you  strength  of  soul,  and  that  holy  resignation 
which  distinguishes  you.  Continue,  then,  to  bless  the 
Lord  ;  you  have,  henceforth,  near  the  throne  of  the  Most 
High,  three  hearts  united ;  we  say  three,  because  we 
have  very  good  reasons  to  believe  that  the  pious  mother, 
who  had  so  happily  formed  her  children  to  virtue,  pre- 
ceded them  herself  into  the  eternal  mansions  of  bliss,  to 
receive  her  recompense.  These  three  pure  hearts  watch 
over  you,  and  solicit  in  your  favor  the  heavenly  protection  ; 
perhaps  one  day  you  will  have  the  happiness  to  find  your- 
self indebted  for  a  most  brilliant  crown,  to  those  who  have 
appeared  to  fly  from  you,  but  to  find  more  efficacious 


LIFE    OF   MOTHER    MARY    EmilAIM.  345 

means  of  approaching  more  nearly  to  you,  and  who  hare 
consented  to  live  a  short  time  at  a  distance  from  you, 
but  to  be  reunited  with  you  forever,  in  the  immortal 
dwelling  of  ineffable  delights. 


N.  B. — The  printing  of  this  work  was  already  com- 
menced, when  we  had  the  grief  to  learn  the  loss  which 
the  Church  of  France,  and  particularly  the  Diocese  of 
Alby,  sustained  by  the  death  of  its  Archbishop.  Worthy 
imitator  of  St.  Francis  of  Sales,  whose  name  he  bore, 
Monseigneur  Francis  Mary  Edward  de  Gualy  applied 
himself  to  retrace,  as  well  in  private  as  in  public  life,  all 
the  virtues  of  his  illustrious  model.  To  the  pious  regu- 
larity of  a  fervent  ceuobite,  he  joined  a  laborious  and  well 
directed  administration,  which  has  caused  him  to  be 
ranked  in  the  class  of  great  prelates.  All  the  priests 
found  in  him  the  tender  and  enlightened  solicitude  which 
is  met  but  in  the  hearts  of  devoted  and  intelligent  mothers. 
Ravished  at  the  affection  of  his  children  in  their  spring- 
time of  life,  Monseigneur  de  Gualy  did  not  long  administer 
the  Arch-diocese  of  Alby ;  nevertheless,  his  short  admin- 
istration was  sufficient  to  enrich  his  Diocese  with  useful 
establishments.  He  was  laboring  in  the  erection  of  a 
house  of  the  Jesuits,  and  laying  the  foundation  of  a  mon- 
astery of  the  Order  of  Citeaux,  when  the  Lord  called  him 
to  Himself;  but  we  learn  that  these  works  will  not  remain 
unfinished.  The  clergy,  anxious  to  gather  together,  and 
perfect  the  inheritance  of  a  father  so  fondly  cherished,  and 
so  deeply  lamented,  will  carry  out  his  designs.  The  Rev- 
erend Father  Jesuits  are  already  established,  and  the 
house  for  the  Trappists  is  in  the  course  of  erection.  The 
venerable  Vicar-Generals  themselves,  have  not  hesitated 
to  encourage  the  enterprise,  and  to  favor  it  with  all  their 


346      LIFE  OF  MOTHER  MARY  EPHRAIM. 

authority ;  being  well  convinced  that  the  future  Arch- 
bishop would  sanction  all  that  they  do  to  promote  the 
interest  of  aq  establishment  whose  object  is  to  draw  down 
upon  the  flock  committed  to  his  care,  the  most  abundant 
benedictions. 

Report  has  already  reached  us,  the  confirmation  of  which 
we  will  receive  with  unbounded  pleasure.  The  name 
which  has  been  announced,  is  that  of  a  great  Prelate,  and 
whose  innumerable  titles  call  him  to  be  the  successor  of 
Monseigneur  de  Gualy,  and  whose  name  alone  will  guar- 
antee unto  us  the  foundation  of  Roque  Reine,  because  we 
know  the  esteem  which  Monseigneur  de  Jerphanion  has 
for  the  Order  of  Citeaux.  It  is  only  a  short  time  since 
that  he  has  endowed  in  his  Diocese  of  Saint  Die,  a  house 
of  that  order.  We  ought  in  truth  to  add,  that  the  Abbe 
Sere  de  Rivieres  is  not  the  only  priest  who  pursues  with 
activity  the  foundation  of  the  Trappists  at  Roque  Reine. 
Providence  has  given  him  a  worthy  assistant  in  the  person 
of  Mr.  Devie,  Curate  of  the  Parish  of  Manavers.  It  was 
perhaps  this  worthy  ecclesiastic  who  first  gave  the  hint 
of  this  enterprise ;  however  this  may  be,  they  both  have 
acted  in  concert,  with  a  courage  to  surmount  the  greatest 
difficulties,  and  with  a  purity  of  purpose  meriting  to  be 
crowned  with  success. 

We  will  offer  up  our  most  sincere  prayers,  in  order  that 
the  General  Chapter,  before  whom  this  foundation  is  to  be 
brought,  may  receive  it  favorably  and  give  it  a  unanimous 
approbation. 

THE  END. 


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